The NFL could reach new numbers this year, but not exactly in a way one would initially think.
Desmond Watson, a 464-pound defensive tackle and hopeful Day 3 pick in April’s NFL Draft, could become the heaviest player ever drafted and to play in league history following his impressive performance in Florida’s pro day on Thursday.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Watson had players and coaches in awe as he benched 225 pounds for a stunning 36 times, which easily topped any bench-press mark at this year’s NFL combine.
Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson performs a drill during the school’s NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 27, 2025. AP
The former Florida lineman also completed the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds and recorded 25 inches on his vertical jump.
Watson’s size and strength — and his weight — all stood out on what was likely the most important day of his football career.
Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson runs through a drill during the school’s NFL football pro day. AP
Watson has continuously gained weight throughout his college career. He weighed 415 pounds as a sophomore and went up to 435 as a junior. Last season, he was listed as 449 pounds.
He has had to manage the weight since coming to Florida in 2021 when the then-Florida coach Dan Mullen tagged him as “a 385-pound athlete.”
“He´s working to get the weight down. I feel like a team is going to take a shot on him. If I was them, I would,” Florida defensive tackle Cam Jackson said. “You don´t find too many nose tackles moving like him. Dez is a big, disruptive guy, and he puts in the work.”
Currently, the heaviest NFL players ever drafted were 380 pounds — offensive linemen Trent Brown (Florida in 2015) and Daniel Faalele (Minnesota in 2022). Watson would surpass them nearly by 100 pounds.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Desmond Watson (21) tackles Tulane Green Wave quarterback Ty Thompson (7) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on Friday, December 20, 2024. Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“You´ll go the rest of your career and you´ll never be around a guy that´s that stature,” current Gators coach Billy Napier said. “He´s had numerous nutritionists, position coaches, strength coaches, and I think this past year we probably executed the best we have. Ultimately, the guy´s frame score would indicate that he´s going to be a huge – that number´s always going to be pretty big. He´s 6-foot-6 and just the density, the bone structure. It´s just a big man.”
Watson never missed a game when playing in Gainesville, and he tallied 63 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks across his four years.
Additionally, he carried the ball for a 1-yard gain and also lined up at fullback for some plays in a blowout win over Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl in December.
Desmond Watson impressed during Florida’s pro day ahead of the NFL Draft in April. AP
His few highlights include when he dragged down South Florida running back Brian Battie in 2022 and ripped the ball out of South Carolina running back Jaheim Bell’s grasp to get a forced fumble and fumble return later in that season.
“He moves way better than anybody thought he would at his size,” fellow defensive tackle Joey Slackman said. “I don´t see why a team wouldn´t give him a chance. He´s a football player through and through; I would want that guy on my team.”
