Florida football’s former defensive lineman Desmond Watson finally found a home in the NFL after going seven rounds without hearing his name called. Instead, he is returning home to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.
According to The Athletic’s Greg Auman, Watson’s first professional contract gives him $50,000 in guaranteed compensation along with a $20,000 signing bonus. He has a long road ahead of him when it comes to taking the field during a regular-season game, but his track record leading him to here suggests it remains a strong possibility.
Watson’s frame is a double-edged sword, measuring at 6-foot-5-inches and 449 pounds according to the university’s website. However, he worked studiously with trainers and nutritionists to convert more of that weight into lean muscle while also maximizing his mass. It was a long road, but the hard work eventually paid off.
During his freshman campaign in 2021, Watson appeared as a reserve in all 13 games, finishing with 0.5 sacks and seven tackles (two solo). He took a step forward in his sophomore year, again appearing in all 13 games but with 10 starts this time, totalling 25 tackles with 1.5 TFLs plus a forced fumble and recovery.
He saw action in all 12 games in 2023, but regressed in a diminished role. The Plant City, Florida, native finished with just 11 tackles, 1.0 tackle-for-loss and a sack with two quarterback hurries that year. But he would bounce back the next season.
In 2024, he appeared in every game — 13 this time — for the fourth-straight season, never missing a single game in his collegiate career. Watson finished his final campaign with 20 tackles (six solo), a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
Billy Napier threw his dog a bone during Florida’s Gasparilla Bowl victory, giving Watson a chance to run the ball a la William “The Fridge” Perry. The massive DT ran the ball for a 1-yard gain and first down, much to the delight of the team and the Gator Nation.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.