Junior defensive tackle Desmond Watson is one of Florida’s most popular and unique players due to his massive 6-5, 449-pound frame.
The Plant City native has put on weight since arriving in Gainesville, where he checked in at 400 pounds during his freshman season in 2021.
“I’ve dropped weight and picked weight back up basically the whole time,” Watson said on balancing his weight loss. “It’s more of me getting to a certain weight and getting complacent and not focusing on it throughout the whole time. So I feel like that’s the biggest thing, just staying on course.”
While Florida’s roster update on February 27th was accurate at the time, I can say with almost 100% certainty that Watson doesn’t weigh 449 pounds as of March 11th, 2023.
“Just trying to manage it right now, but going down right now, for sure,” Watson said on his current weight.
A season ago, Watson played in 418 defensive snaps, logging 25 tackles (8 solo), 1.5 TFL, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Watson’s snap count may have exceeded expectations for his size, but he’s working on playing a consistent game for four quarters.
“Definitely say sustaining through the game,” Watson said on what he’s looking to improve on. “Looking back on my film, I was a little inconsistent, so I want to be able to play at my highest level from first quarter to fourth quarter, so I feel like that’s the biggest thing for me.”
Billy Napier’s emphasis on adding depth to the defensive tackle room will benefit Watson and the Florida Gators in 2023.
“A lot of competition in the room right now, and even with the competition, whenever it’s like a switch in our rotation, there’s not going to be a drop-off,” Watson said. “I feel like that was the biggest point as to why they brought those guys in, so, I feel like that will help a lot. Like I was saying, I want to play at the highest level through all quarters, and having that rotation and no drop-off, that will be helpful to all of us.”
One player Watson will be rotating with this season is Memphis transfer Cam’Ron Jackson. Like Watson, Jackson is a bigger body, standing at 6-6, 355 pounds.
“He’s super tall, but he’s real quick, too,” Watson said on Jackson. “So I feel like us two, having that little rotation going, it will be trouble for any center or guard. Because once one of us come in, like I said before, it’s not going to be a drop-off, so, I feel like that’s a good thing.”
Strength and conditioning coach Mark Hocke spoke on Watson at the beginning of spring camp.
“What’s impressive about Desmond is how nimble and how quick he is for what size he is,” Hocke said. “It’s obvious and he’d be the first to tell you he’s got things that he needs to work on. And, he’s working on those things and once he gets a hold of those things he’s got a chance to be really special. But, you know, like all of us, we’ve got things that we need to work on. Once he gets a hold of that, he’s got a chance to be special.”
Watson is going to be a major piece to a defense that’s looking to drastically improve in 2023.
“A lot of bad statistics came from last year,” Watson said. “I feel like even though we’re kind of in a similar system, but it’s more about execution. I think we definitely feel like we have a point to prove and show what we can do, because last year wasn’t, we didn’t play up to our full potential. So I feel like this year is about everybody playing together and playing to their full potential.”
With spring football coming to an end, it will be important for Watson to continue losing weight throughout the summer program as the Gators are relying on Watson to play significant snaps once again in 2023.