Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson was beloved during his time in Gainesville, with the 6-foot-6, 460-pound talent becoming a crowd favorite—especially when he entered the game as a running back late in his career.
Florida had a Pro Day on Thursday, and Watson put on a tremendous show. He registered as 6-foot-6 and tipped the scales at 464 pounds. If Watson could continue his football career in the pros, he would become the heaviest NFL player in history.
Watson is more than just a big defensive lineman, though. He ran the 40 in 5.93 seconds and did 36 reps when pressed to show his strength.
Watson wasn’t one of the fortunate ones to get an invite to the NFL combine. However, his feat of strength would have been three reps better than what anyone showed in Indianapolis.
Watson is a powerhouse in other areas in the weight room. He has squatted 720 pounds on occasion. When he isn’t pressed for reps, he has benched 520.
Florida fans loved it when Watson ripped the football from a South Carolina player.
“He’s had numerous nutritionists, position coaches, strength coaches,” Florida coach Billy 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.”
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Fellow Florida D-lineman Joey Slackman said NFL teams should take Watson seriously as a possible draft selection.
“He moves way better than anybody thought that he would at his size. 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,” Slackman told the Gainesville Sun. “I don’t see why a team wouldn’t give a chance. He’s a football player through and through. I would want that guy on my team.”
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Huge Florida Gator Desmond Watson impressed on Pro Day
