Desmond Watson: Highlights| Was drafted| DT| Age| Squat

Introduction

Desmond Watson is a name increasingly spoken in NFL talk — not just for what he does on the field, but for his sheer physical presence. He stands out among defensive tackles (DTs) as perhaps one of the biggest, with a body type, size, and athletic profile rarely seen at the highest levels of college football or among pro prospects. In this article, we’ll cover his key highlights, whether he was drafted, his position, his age, and his strength metrics (including bench press/squat equivalents), as well as what observers believe about his future.

Early Life and College Career

• Born: January 5, 2003.

• High School: Attended Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida.

• From early on, Watson was enormous compared to his peers. By his junior year of high school, he weighed ~ 375 lb and played both football (defensive line) and shot put. His high school football stats: as a junior, ~65 tackles, 34 for loss, 10 sacks; as a senior 39 tackles with 6 sacks.

• He was a four-star recruit, with multiple offers from major programs, ultimately choosing Florida Gators.

Physical Attributes & Measurements

• Height: 6 ft 6 in.

• Weight: listed at ~ 464 lb during his pro day.

  • There has been some fluctuation: before some seasons, he’s dropped to ~ 449 lb, or sought to reduce weight for conditioning.

• Athletic testing at Pro Day:

  • Bench press: 225 lb × 36 repetitions, which would have topped the combine marks.

  • 40-yard dash: ~ 5.93 seconds.

  • Vertical jump: ~ 25 inches.

Highlights & Performance in College

Desmond Watson’s college highlights show a mix of raw power and enough nimbleness to draw attention. Some of his stand-out moments:

• While at Florida, he played four seasons (2021-2024), never missing a game.

• Career stats include 63 total tackles, ~ 4 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

• In his senior year and final games, one memorable moment came in the Gasparilla Bowl, when he took a snap as a fullback in short yardage to pick up a first down. Also in that game he held a Tulane quarterback in the air during a rushing attempt until the refs blew the play dead.

• Another highlight: during his time in Florida, a play vs. South Carolina where he forced a strip-fumble by a running back, showing hands / awareness in addition to size.

Draft Status: Was He Drafted?

• Undrafted Free Agent (2025 NFL Draft): Watson was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

• Shortly after the draft, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.

• The Buccaneers placed him on the non-football injury list in July 2025, citing a need for him to get in better shape. At that time his weight was ~ 449 lb.

• He was waived during final roster cuts (August 2025). After that, he cleared waivers and later (September 23, 2025) was signed to the Buccaneers’ practice squad following a tryout.

Position: Defensive Tackle / Nose Tackle (DT)

• Watson plays the defensive tackle role, specialising as a nose tackle in the interior defensive line. His size, strength, and ability to hold the point of attack make him suited for that role.

• Usually, nose tackles are expected to take on double teams, clog running lanes, push the pocket in pass situations, and free up linebackers. Watson’s job profile is very much in line with that, though conditioning and stamina are key challenges for players of his size.

Age

• Born January 5, 2003, Desmond Watson is 22 years old (as of 2025).

• That places him fairly young among NFL rookies, with the potential for physical and skill development. His age gives time for improving endurance, conditioning, refining technique. Desmond Watson highlights.

Strength Metrics & Squat / Equivalent

While explicit public data about Watson’s squat max is not widely published, we do have related strength metrics that give an idea of his lower-body and overall functional strength.

• The bench press rep test (225 lb × 36 reps) shows his upper body strength endurance is among the top of his peer group.

• Performance in the 40-yard dash (~5.9 s) and vertical jump (25 in) at his weight suggests reasonable lower body explosiveness. Even for a man of ~460+ lb, producing a 25-inch vertical requires serious leg strength and explosiveness.

• Observers have speculated that his squat (or similar lower-body strength tests) must be very high to support this kind of athleticism, although specific number of squats or max weight has not been confirmed in the public domain.

So while we may not know his squat max, we can infer that his leg strength is very well developed — enough to support the weight, provide bursts, push through line of scrimmage, etc.

Challenges & Areas for Improvement

Watson’s path to consistent NFL playing time or even a roster spot comes with trade-offs and challenges.

• Weight & Conditioning: At ~ 460+ lb, endurance, agility, cardiovascular health become big issues. Reports say the Buccaneers put him on non-football illness list for weight/health concerns.

• Health Risks: The larger the frame, the greater risk to joints (knees, ankles), cardiovascular strain, risk of injury, especially in high-impact contact.

• Mobility & Technique: At his size, getting pad level, moving laterally, executing quick reaction plays are harder. Coaches will want to see technique to make up for lack of ideal speed.

• Perceptions & Expectations: Because he was undrafted despite his size, there’s a belief he’s a project. He’ll have to prove value (run-stopping, situational pass rushing, etc) to overcome skepticism. Desmond Watson highlights.

What Makes Him Unique

• Watson may become the heaviest player in NFL history; previously held by Aaron Gibson (~ 410 lb).

• Despite weight, he has shown surprising athletic traits: vertical leap, reasonable speed, bench press reps, all of which attract scout interest.

• A nickname from his coach (“unicorn”) reflects how rare his combination of size + production + potential is.

• Durability: he played every game in his college career (2021-2024) with Florida. That is impressive for someone whose body is under much mechanical stress.

What the NFL and Buccaneers Expect

• Practice squad role initially: Because of his weight concerns and the need to get him “game ready,” Watson has been placed on practice squad.

• Health improvement & conditioning: The team expects Watson to get in better shape, lose or maintain weight, improve conditioning before seeing major playing time.

• Situational use: Likely early NFL use will be short yardage, goal line, run downs, where size is more of an asset and speed less of a liability. If he can improve endurance and technique, there may be chance for more diverse snaps. Desmond Watson highlights

Projection & Future Potential

• If Watson can adapt in strength conditioning, maintain (or reduce) weight while preserving power, and improve mobility, he could become an impactful nose tackle, especially in teams that need run-stoppers.

• The unique physical profile may give him niche value — e.g. neutralizing powerful run games, taking on double teams, freeing up linebackers, situational pass rush.

• However, long-term success requires balancing size with health. Many very large linemen see shortened careers due to injury, wear, or inability to sustain performance.

Summary

Desmond Watson is a rare specimen: massive in size (~6ʹ6ʺ, ~ 460-464 lb), strong, surprisingly explosive, with a consistent college career and moments of standout play. He was not drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft but signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is 22 years old, and while we don’t have confirmed squat numbers publicly, his strength metrics (bench press reps, vertical, etc.) suggest remarkable lower-body power.

His future in the NFL will depend on his ability to manage conditioning, durability, and refining technique to leverage his size in game situations. Desmond Watson highlights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is Desmond Watson’s exact “squat” max?
A1: There is no publicly confirmed number for Watson’s maximal squat (either with barbell or machine). However, his other strength metrics (225-lb bench press × 36 reps, 25-inch vertical jump) indicate that his lower-body strength is substantial. If/when teams release official data, it may become available.

Q2: Was Desmond Watson drafted into the NFL?
A2: No. He was undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Shortly afterward, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. Desmond Watson highlights.

Q3: How old is Desmond Watson?
A3: He was born on January 5, 2003, making him 22 years old (as of 2025).

Q4: What are his best athletic measurements?
A4: Among his top measures:

• Bench press: 225 lb × 36 reps.

• 40-yard dash: ~ 5.93 seconds.

• Vertical jump: ~ 25 inches.

Q5: What makes Watson stand out compared to other defensive tackles?
A5: Several things:

• His exceptional size, possibly making him the heaviest player in NFL history if he remains at ~ 464 lb.

• Despite his size, he has shown decent athleticism (bench press endurance, vertical, speed for his size).

• Durability: played every game through his college career.

• Unique moments of playmaking (strip fumbles, goal-line/fullback snaps).

Q6: What are the concerns about his transition to NFL play?
A6: Key concerns include:

• Conditioning and stamina given his weight and the demands of NFL speed and sustained physical play.

• Health risks: joint stress, potential for injury, cardiovascular concerns.

• Mobility and agility, especially in pass-rush and lateral movement.

• Proving value beyond just size: production, consistency, game impact.