With a new year also comes a new season of ABC’s The Bachelor. This season is sure to be exciting as 28 year old Clayton Echard embarks on his journey to find love. But what many viewers may not know is that Echard is from Eureka, Missouri. Needless to say, all of Bachelor Nation is excited to see if our local celebrity can find love on the show.

Clayton Echard grew up in the small town of Eureka, attending Eureka High School where he was a star defensive lineman. His football career continued well after high school when he was selected as a walk-on at Mizzou. He then went on to play professionally with the Seattle Seahawks in 2016.

Echard made his first appearance on TV as a contestant on Michelle Young’s season and was a fan favorite amongst viewers. So when he was sent home in week six, Bachelor Nation was adamant about him being the next candidate.

With the season premiere last Monday, viewers were able to get a glimpse into Echard’s life through clips of him in front of the Arch, with friends and family in downtown Eureka and reminiscing at Eureka High School. While it is great to see Missouri represented on a huge show, it is even more exciting to see if Clayton will find love.

“I truthfully believe in this process more than anyone else. I know that I can find my wife here and I know this works […] Having this small town pride is what Eureka is all about and it was just such a special place to be raised in,” Echard said in the first episode.

The first episode of the season featured new host, Jesse Palmer, who will be helping Echard along his journey along with the 30 women who are already fighting for Clayton’s heart through both group and one-on-one dates. Needless to say, there will be lots of drama and anticipation as we watch the show unfold.

Be sure to tune into ABC every Monday at 7:00pm to watch new episodes of The Bachelor and more importantly, to see if Echard will find true love.