Clemson football player charged with using fake ID. Here’s what we know
A Clemson football player was ticketed by police for “false representation of age to obtain liquors” over the weekend, local court records show.
According to the Pickens County court public index, Tigers true freshman defensive end Ari Watford was ticketed early on the morning of Nov. 1 (the same day Clemson had a home game vs. Duke) for “false representation of age to obtain liquors.”
That charge usually relates to a minor using a fake ID. Watford, a true freshman and former four-star recruit from Norfolk, Virginia, is currently 18 years old.
Records also indicate Watford was in possession of liquor and marijuana. He was not formally arrested by police or taken to jail.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said during his weekly news conference Tuesday that he had no comment on Watford’s situation, other than the fact he was “aware of it, and we’ll deal with that.” Watford remains a member of the team.
Additional details on Ari Watford incident
A case number matching Watford’s ticket in the Clemson University Police Department crime log lists CUPD as responding to an incident around 2 a.m. Saturday at Clemson’s Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex in Seneca, a lakefront area a few miles away from main campus.
CUPD lists three offenses: “Unlawful storage or transportation of alcoholic liquors,” “false representation of age to obtain liquors” and a first-offense charge of possessing of 28 grams or fewer of marijuana (which is illegal in South Carolina).
CUPD’s crime log says the incident was “cleared by arrest,” which meant in this instance that a ticket was issued. Court records indicate that Watford was only formally charged with the fake ID-related charge, a misdemeanor for someone under 21 in SC. There are no charges for liquor or marijuana possession.
The crime log indicates the incident involving Watford was first reported at 2:03 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Friday, Oct. 31 was Halloween. Clemson’s team stays in a team hotel in Anderson 20 minutes away the night before home games at Memorial Stadium, but the hotel is only for members of the travel roster.
The travel roster refers to the 80 players Clemson is limited to traveling for conference road games, and it’s generally a good indicator of which players are legitimate contributors. Watford has not been on the travel roster at any point this year, because he’s injured and rehabbing from a torn ACL.
Watford hasn’t played in a game this season and will take a medical redshirt.
The Tigers lost 46-45 to Duke on Saturday, falling to 3-5 (2-3 ACC).
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 9:37 AM.
