Bachelorette star Michelle Young (right) did not give Clayton Echard a rose earlier this month. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

'The Bachelor' unveils its next leading man: 'Bring on the puppy love'

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 11/30/21

Clayton Echard wasn't the one for Michelle Young, but the 28-year-old has another chance at love.

Echard has been unveiled as the leading man for The Bachelor's forthcoming 26th season:

It's official! Clayton is ready to find the one when #TheBachelor premieres Monday, Jan 3! pic.twitter.com/2BzOn00991
— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) December 1, 2021

Bring on the puppy love. ❤️ Join Clayton's journey as #TheBachelor Monday, Jan 3 on ABC. pic.twitter.com/yCFZUvhGUs
— The Bachelor (@BachelorABC) December 1, 2021

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Clayton Echard (@claytonechard)

In the teaser tweeted Tuesday night (Nov. 30), Echard says, "I'm just a Midwest guy from Missouri that just wants to find love, and I believe more than anything that my future wife is here."

The Bachelorette starring Young is currently airing, and on Tuesday's episode, Young eliminated Rodney Matthews, narrowing her suitors down to Brandon Jones, Joe Coleman and Nayte Olukoya. Echard was sent home during the Nov. 23 episode.

Echard has been rumored as the next Bachelor since mid-September. The Eureka, Missouri, native is a medical sales representative who previously played football at the University of Missouri.

The next season of The Bachelor will premiere Monday, Jan. 3, and will be hosted by Jesse Palmer after the controversial departure of longtime host Chris Harrison this summer. Palmer, also a former football player, starred as the Bachelor for the franchise's fifth season in 2004.

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