Desmond Watson

Desmond Watson
Watson after the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl
No. 56 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Position:Nose tackle
Personal information
Born: (2003-01-05) January 5, 2003
Plant City, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:464 lb (210 kg)
Career information
High school:Armwood (Seffner, Florida)
College:Florida (2021–2024)
NFL draft:2025: undrafted
Career history
Roster status:Active

Desmond Watson (born January 5, 2003)[1], nicknamed "Big Dez",[2] is an American professional football nose tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators. From Armwood High School, Watson is known for his size, standing at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and weighing over 460 pounds (200 kg). One of the largest players in NCAA Division I football history, he played for Florida from 2021 to 2024. He signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2025.

Early life

Born in Plant City, Florida, Watson is one of six children and was the lightest at birth.[3][4] He quickly increased in size and by the time he was in peewee youth football leagues he was already a "giant", according to The Naples Daily News.[4] He attended Armwood High School in Seffner, playing football and participating in shot put.[5] By his junior year, he weighed 375 pounds (170 kg), a number heavier than every defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) at the time.[6]

Watson played 13 games as a junior in 2019, totaling 65 tackles, 34 of which were for a loss, as well as 10.0 sacks, helping Armwood compile a record of 12–2 and make a deep run in the state playoffs.[7] He was named a second-team all-state selection for his performance.[8] As a senior, he played eight games, posting 39 tackles and 6.0 sacks.[9] Watson finished his time at Armwood with 158 total tackles, including 113 solo stops, 24.0 sacks and nine quarterback hurries.[9][10] A four-star recruit, he received offers to play college football from several major schools, including Alabama, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee, eventually choosing to commit to play for the Florida Gators.[7][1]

College career

When Watson enrolled at Florida in 2021, he weighed 440 pounds (200 kg).[7] He was able to lower his weight to 400 pounds (180 kg) to begin his freshman season.[7] He appeared in all 13 games on the year, seeing action on special teams and as a reserve defensive tackle, thus becoming one of the largest players in NCAA Division I football history.[4][11] He played a total of 150 snaps and saw defensive action in eight games, recording seven tackles and half a sack.[11] Between his freshman and sophomore seasons, his weight increased to 415 pounds (188 kg).[7]

Watson became a starter as a sophomore in 2022, appearing in 13 games, 10 as a starter, and recording 25 tackles and 1.5 TFLs.[11][12] He stripped the ball away against South Carolina while stiff-arming quarterback Spencer Rattler, which became a viral video.[1] Watson entered spring camp in 2023 weighing 449 pounds (204 kg), but later dropped his weight.[12] He appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season and posted 11 tackles and one tackle for loss.[13] He entered spring camp in 2024 with a weight of 464 pounds (210 kg), later dropping back down to 449 pounds (204 kg) for the 2024 season.[13][14] As a senior in 2024, he played in all 13 games and totaled 20 tackles, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.[5] In his last career game, the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl, he recorded one carry and gained one yard for a first down. Additionally, Watson held up Tulane quarterback Ty Thompson in the air, as Thompson attempted to rush on a 3rd and 2 until referees ended the play.[15][16] He concluded his collegiate career having appeared in every game and made 63 tackles and 1.5 sacks.[17][18]

Although not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Watson impressed at his pro day.[18] Measuring at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and 464 pounds (210 kg), he completed 36 bench press reps, which would have been the top mark at the combine, and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds, in addition to recording a vertical jump of 25 inches (64 cm).[18]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash Vertical jump Bench press
6 ft 6 in
(1.98 m) 		464 lb
(210 kg) 		5.93 s 25 in
(0.64 m)		 36 reps
All values from Pro Day[18][19]

Watson, who went undrafted during the 2025 NFL draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[20][21]

Personal life

Watson wore number 21 to honor his younger brother, who became disabled after suffering a stroke.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Thompson, Edgar (November 18, 2022). "Get on the Watson wagon". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. C2 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Big Dez States His Case — Will NFL Offer An Opportunity?". Florida Gators. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Desmond Watson". ESPN.
  4. ^ a b c d Whitley, David (March 27, 2021). "Florida's big freshman gets into shape for No. 21". The Naples Daily News. p. C1, C4 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Desmond Watson". Florida Gators.
  6. ^ Putnam, Bob (November 8, 2019). "Pair forms wall of woe". Tampa Bay Times. p. C1, C6 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e Lee, Ainslie (September 17, 2022). "Desmond Watson has been a quite massive force inside for the Florida Gators defense. Here are three things to know". Gatorsports.
  8. ^ Brockway, Kevin (September 23, 2022). "Desmond Watson now recognized for his size and hard work: He's set to start for Florida". Gatorsports.
  9. ^ a b "Desmond Watson's (Seffner, FL) Armwood High School Football Stats". MaxPreps.
  10. ^ Harvey, Demetrius (May 22, 2021). "Five Play Prospect: Florida Gators DT Desmond Watson". Sports Illustrated.
  11. ^ a b c Goodall, Zach (December 13, 2021). "Desmond Watson Discusses Year One, Goals With Gators and Coaching Changes". Sports Illustrated.
  12. ^ a b Hall, Graham (April 12, 2023). "Avoiding complacency the key for Desmond Watson to further improve conditioning". 247Sports.
  13. ^ a b Hall, Graham (July 30, 2024). "Florida football fall camp position preview: Defensive line". 247Sports.
  14. ^ Helms, Will (March 18, 2024). "Is Desmond Watson the Biggest Player in College Football? Florida Gators DT Weighs In at 464 Pounds". College Football Network.
  15. ^ Rum, Noah (December 20, 2024). "A BIG statement: Desmond Watson rumbles, strikes the Heisman pose in Florida's Gasparilla Bowl win". The Gainesville Sun.
  16. ^ "Desmond Watson Reflects on Viral Career". Florida Gators On SI. December 21, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  17. ^ "At 464 pounds, Florida's Desmond Watson could become heaviest NFL Draft pick ever". Fox Sports. Associated Press. March 28, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d Long, Mark (April 26, 2025). "At 464 pounds, Florida's Desmond Watson could become the heaviest draft pick in NFL history". Associated Press.
  19. ^ read, Chris CwikContributing writer·3 min (March 28, 2025). "Florida's Desmond Watson surprises NFL scouts with 464-pound weigh-in, incredible strength at pro day". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Rosenblum, Joshua (April 26, 2025). "Buccaneers Make NFL History After Signing 464-Pound DT From Florida". Athlon Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  21. ^ Smith, Scott (May 9, 2025). "Bucs Fill Out Offseason Roster with 15 UDFA Signings". Buccaneers.com.
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