Desmond Watson broke a record the second he reached the NFL: he became the heaviest player in league history.
Watson weighed in at an astounding 464 pounds at Florida’s pro day about a month before the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-6 behemoth spent four seasons with the Gators and recorded 63 total tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Watson was signed as an UDFA by the Buccaneers
had hopes of being a Day 3 pick in the draft after not being invited to the NFL Scouting Combine.
He didn’t quite fulfill those draft hopes, but he still found a home after the draft as he signed with Tampa Bay.
He weighs nearly 100 pounds more than many of the NFL’s other heaviest players
Offensive tackles Trent Brown and Daniel Faalele were both drafted in the past at listed weights of 380 pounds — 84 pounds less than what Watson clocked in at.
Faalele was , weighing in at 384 pounds.
Before Watson, the heaviest player in NFL history was former offensive tackle 410-pound Aaron Gibson.
Watson struggled with weight gain in college
He arrived in Gainesville at 385 pounds in 2021. He then weighed 415 pounds as a sophomore and went up to 435 as a junior. In his senior year, he was listed as 449 pounds.
“It’s been like my same problem — not problem, but my same concern throughout college,” Watson said in April before the draft.
“It’s definitely hard,” said about his diet and food cravings. “People have taught me to look at it like another addiction. It’s not drugs, but it’s addicting, whether that’s gaming, drugs, alcohol. I think this is my vice. I’m just trying to get a hold of it. Just like drugs can kill you, this can do the same thing. I’m trying to change my life.”
He impressed scouts at his pro day
Despite no combine invite, Watson made a name for himself pre-draft with his performance at the Gators’ pro day.
He bench pressed 225 pounds for a stunning 36 reps, which would have been the best mark at this year’s NFL combine. Watson also completed the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds and recorded 25 inches on his vertical jump.
He went viral at Florida after rushing for a first down
While Watson plays as a gap-stuffing interior defensive lineman, he received occasional snaps on the offensive side of the ball as a fullback.
In what wound up being his final collegiate game, for the Gators in their Bowl Game victory over Tulane.
