Total Pro Sports
Desmond Watson didn’t just show up at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp, he carried history with him.
At 6-foot-6 and 464 pounds, Watson is on track to become the heaviest player in NFL history. Before taking a single snap, he has already captured everyone’s attention, leaving a lasting impression.
Watson, a Florida Gators player, went undrafted last month but quickly signed with the Bucs as a free agent. On Friday, he stepped onto the practice field in the Florida heat for the first time as an NFL rookie, making a statement just by being there. “I feel like my name is etched in history… but I don’t want that to be my narrative,” Watson told reporters. “I want to be known as a football player — and a good football player at that.”
Watson has dropped 27 pounds since his Pro Day and now focuses on conditioning and earning a real role on the team. Despite headlines about his weight, the 22-year-old wants his performance to speak louder. Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t hold back on what comes next. “He’s got to make the team first of all,” Bowles said. “We’ve got to see how long he can stay on the field and put him on a program where we think he can make some progress.”
That process started immediately. On day one, Watson joined other rookies in running drills and getting a feel for NFL speed and expectations. Despite the sweltering Tampa heat, he handled the workload and showed flashes of why scouts couldn’t ignore him at the Combine. He ran a 5.86-second 40-yard dash and crushed the bench press with 36 reps at 225 pounds, leading all participants in that category.
Here’s 437-pound Desmond Watson from Florida at Buccaneers rookie minicamp. pic.twitter.com/QcDtK8eXc2
— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) May 9, 2025
The Bucs signed him to a three-year rookie deal with $50,000 guaranteed and a $20,000 signing bonus. For a player many doubted would even get a shot, it’s already a win, but Watson isn’t settling. He knows the spotlight is intense, and his journey is just beginning.
Fans have rallied behind him, lighting up social media with support and curiosity. “This is awesome. I want to see this guy succeed so bad!” one user posted.
This is awesome. I want to see this guy succeed so bad
— JLSports (@JLSports24) May 9, 2025
Another joked, “Tampa is a bad place for summer football workouts when you’re 437 pounds.”
Tampa is a bad place to for summer football workouts when you are 437 lbs. …. hot/humid.
— floridanow1 (@floridanow1) May 10, 2025
Whether or not Watson makes the final roster, he’s already made an unforgettable entrance. He’s hungry to prove his story is much more than a number on the scale.
Also Read: [NFL Fans Have Already Created The Best Nickname Ever For Florida Gators’ 464-Pound DT Desmond Watson, And He Hasn’t Even Been...
