Rep. Watson was raised on the family farm and graduated from Colquitt County High School in 1997. He earned his Associate's Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Georgia majoring in Agricultural Education. He is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Georgia, a 2011 graduate of Leadership Colquitt, and a 2009 graduate of the Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum.

Rep. Watson is active in his community serving on the Colquitt County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He is a member of the Colquitt County Cattlemen's Association and the Colquitt County Young Farmers.

Outside of his community, Rep. Watson is President of the UGA Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Alumni Board, is a member of the Georgia Agribusiness Council and the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.

Rep. Watson has received numerous honors and awards. He was named as one of Georgia Trend's "Movers and Shakers in Agribusiness" in 2010 and was recently awarded the 2014 freshman legislator of the year award by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Watson is married to Emily Howard Watson and they are the proud parents of two young daughters, Lily and Lucy. They live in southern Colquitt County on the family farm between Moultrie and Coolidge. The Watsons are members of Moultrie First Baptist Church where they are active in the children's ministry and Sam serves as a Deacon.