Florida’s Desmond Watson wows scouts with incredible Pro Day performance

Desmond Watson has always been a standout presence on the field. At 6-foot-6 and 464 pounds, the Florida defensive lineman was impossible to ignore, and not just because of his size. He was a fan favorite in Gainesville, whether it was stuffing the run or taking snaps as a running back in one of the Gators' most memorable plays. Now, as he chases his NFL dreams, Watson made sure his Pro Day left a lasting impression. Snubbed from the NFL Combine, he knew this was his chance to turn heads. And that’s exactly what he did.

Watson’s Pro Day numbers were jaw-dropping. He ran a 5.93-second 40-yard dash—outrageous for someone his size—and put up 36 reps on the bench press, a number that would have led the Combine. His strength is the stuff of legend in Florida’s weight room, where he has squatted 720 pounds and benched 520. Fans are still talking about the time he ripped the ball away from a South Carolina player like it was a backyard game.

Florida head coach Billy Napier has seen Watson’s journey up close and believes he’s more than just a giant in pads. “He's had numerous nutritionists, position coaches, strength coaches,” Napier said. “I think he's learned a lot about habit building, self-discipline. The guy’s frame score would indicate that he's always going to be big.”
Watson’s teammates echo that sentiment, particularly fellow defensive lineman Joey Slackman, who thinks NFL teams would be making a mistake to overlook him. “He moves way better than anybody thought that he would at his size,” Slackman said. “I played next to him on the field, and I didn't think there was a drop-off with him being on the field versus anybody else. 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.”
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Despite his Pro Day dominance, Watson still faces an uphill battle to get drafted. Without a Combine invite, he’ll have to impress teams in private workouts. Some franchises may hesitate because of his size, but others will see what Florida fans have known for years—this guy is a freak athlete with the power and presence to be a game-changer. If someone is willing to take a chance, Watson could make history as the heaviest player in NFL history. But more importantly, he’d get the opportunity to prove he’s more than just a big body—he’s a playmaker.