Clayton Echard received a rose from Michelle Young on Night 1 of her The Bachelorette journey, and he will continue competing for her heart on Season 18.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clayton is a 28-year-old orthopedic sales representative from Columbia, MO, who played college football at the University of Missouri.
RELATED LINK: MICHELLE YOUNG'S 'THE BACHELORETTE' SEASON 18 BACHELORS ANNOUNCED BY ABC -- MEET THE MEN! (PHOTOS)
On The Bachelorette premiere, viewers watched Clayton gush about Michelle being a teacher, like his own mother, and he handed the Bachelorette a meter stick after his limo entrance to indicate how she would have the power to control him and keep him in line. (He also asked her to spank him with the ruler).
While Clayton didn't receive the First Impression Rose, Michelle chose to keep him around. She gave him a rose at the first Rose Ceremony of the season, making Clayton one of 23 suitors still in the running.
ADVERTISEMENT
ABC has gushed about Clayton having "great looks, a great job and a wonderful family," but Clayton playfully calls himself a "washed-up athlete" on his Instagram bio.
Clayton, who boasts a similar look to Sean Lowe or Colton Underwood, may have what it takes to win Michelle's attention and affection, but he doesn't appear to be a frontrunner for the Bachelorette just yet.
Until viewers get the chance to watch Clayton and Michelle's connection grow, let's learn some information about this handsome bachelor right now.
Below is a list of 5 facts Reality TV World has compiled about Clayton Echard.
Clayton Echard's professional football career was short-lived
Clayton spent the 2016 NFL pre-season with the Seattle Seahawks after signing as an undrafted rookie following the NFL Draft.
ADVERTISEMENT
Once his football career ended, Clayton tested his luck with medical sales, and he'd love to own multiple gyms someday.
But for now, the bachelor says the only thing missing in his life is the perfect woman.
Clayton's dream partner is funny, independent, intelligent and athletic enough to join him at the gym for a workout. He wants to find something truly special and says he's willing to put in the hard work to find a love that will last forever.
RELATED LINK: CLAYTON ECHARD'S 'THE BACHELOR' SEASON 26 BACHELORETTES ANNOUNCED BY ABC -- MEET THE WOMEN! (PHOTOS)
Clayton has reportedly already been chosen as the next The Bachelor star
Before fans were even introduced to Clayton on The Bachelorette, reports surfaced in September that ABC had cast him as The Bachelor star for Season 26 in 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
ABC's alleged casting decision indicates Clayton probably did not receive Michelle's final rose. It's assumed Clayton either got his heart crushed by Michelle on the show or his star-quality and/or storyline made him a natural fit to become the franchise's new leading man.
In mid-September, photos leaked of Clayton appearing to film a promo shoot with a camera crew in his Missouri hometown of Eureka.
Around that same time, The Bachelor creator and executive producer Mike Fleiss also hinted at Clayton's participation and that he was ABC's choice for the show's next star.
Mike tweeted on September 15, "Major Announcement!!! Your new #TheBachelor is a great guy from Michelle's season of #TheBachelorette. Can't wait for you to meet him!"
Mike proceeded to write on Twitter, "Another Major Announcement!!! His first name starts with the letter 'C.' #TheBachelor."
ADVERTISEMENT
Only three other bachelors on Michelle's season have names that begin with "C" -- Casey Woods, Christopher Gallant, and Chris Sutton.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
Sources say Clayton was picked to be the Bachelor because of his story
According to insiders, producers fell in love with Clayton's "story" during Michelle's The Bachelorette season and so he rose to the top of their potential-next Bachelor list very quickly, Variety recently reported.
And a source told Us Weekly last month, "Clayton stood out right off the bat."
"Producers ended up going with him because they believed he was the best fit for the role," the source said.
ABC reportedly also loves the fact Clayton is a fresh face whom America still has to get to know.
"[Producers] wanted to switch things up and go with someone new and someone who hasn't been in the spotlight yet," the source explained. "The mystery makes it more exciting for the prospective contestants."
Clayton's alleged casting reportedly came out of left field, as a handful of other men -- including The Bachelorette 17 suitors Michael Allio, Greg Grippo and Andrew Spencer, reportedly -- were being considered.
"The crew found out about it last minute," the source told Us. "The decision wasn't even made until about a week prior to filming his intro."
Clayton all but confirmed his The Bachelor casting
Clayton addressed a crowd of people while being filmed in Eureka in September.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clayton told fans he's "excited" about the opportunity to look for his "person" but also "very nervous" at the same time, according to St. Louis' Fox affiliate.
While ABC and Warner Bros. have yet to officially announce that Clayton will follow in Matt James' The Bachelor footsteps, a banner hangs in Eureka that reads, "Go Find Love Clayton," and the town's mayor, Sean Flower, said on Facebook that ABC had purchased the giant sign.
The Bachelorette co-hosts think Clayton will make a great Bachelor
Kaitlyn Bristowe told Extra in mid-October of Clayton, "I will say he was one of my favorite from Michelle's season because he was really emotionally available and secure in that. I think he would be really good as the Bachelor."
And Tayshia also shared with Extra, "I think he'd be a great Bachelor."
Tayshia elaborated, "Clayton was super fun and playful. I feel like when we did see him on a date, he was always having a good time and he always had a smile on his face... He always seemed really sweet."
Michelle has even gushed about Clayton to the press. She told Entertainment Tonight earlier this month that Clayton is "a sweetheart" and definitely someone to keep an eye on this season.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!