464-pound NFL draft prospect Desmond Watson knows he must ‘change my life’ to have chance at football future

464-pound NFL draft prospect Desmond Watson knows he must ‘change my life’ to have chance at football future

At 6-foot-6 and 464 pounds, there’s only one thing standing in the way of Desmond Watson’s NFL dreams.

His weight.

The Florida defensive tackle might become the heaviest player ever selected in next week’s draft, but he’s doing everything in his power to make sure that’s not the case. 

“Stopping while driving,” Watson said when asked by Fox Sports about what he’s doing to lose weight. “My biggest thing is keep going, get to where I need to get. There are stores and a lot of temptations. That’s helped me immensely: Don’t go inside the gas station. Pay at the pump. Because inside, it’s snacks and all types of things like that. Don’t pull over. If you’re on the highway, stay on the highway until you get where you’ve got to go.”

Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson runs through a drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.
Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson runs through a drill during the school’s NFL football pro day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. AP

Watson, who is hopeful to be picked on Day 3 of the draft, dealt with weight issues throughout his days in Gainesville, where he showed up at 385 pounds in 2021. 

“It’s been like my same problem — not problem, but my same concern throughout college,” Watson told the outlet. “I’m getting more in-depth, getting a better grasp of the things I need to do to be successful at the next level. It’s been interesting. I’ve learned a lot about myself in this process.”

At that number, Watson would have been more than 80 pounds heavier than the next-heaviest player in the NFL last season — Ravens offensive lineman Daniel Faalele was listed at 380 pounds.

Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson performs a drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.
Florida defensive lineman Desmond Watson performs a drill during the school’s NFL football pro day on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla. AP

“It’s definitely hard,” Watson said. “People have taught me to look at it like another addiction. It’s not drugs, but it’s addicting, whether that’s gaming, drugs, alcohol. I think this is my vice. I’m just trying to get a hold of it. Just like drugs can kill you, this can do the same thing. I’m trying to change my life.”

During Florida’s pro day in March, Watson benched 225 pounds for an impressive 36 times, which would’ve been the highest of any player at this year’s NFL combine.

He also completed the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds and recorded 25 inches on his vertical jump.

Related Posts

Eli Manning posts rare picture with his four children… and one is almost as tall as him

Eli Manning posts rare picture with his four children… and one is almost as tall as him

Eli Manning shared a rare pH๏τo of his four children to Instagram over the weekend – with his oldest kid not that much shorter than him. Manning,…

Jalen Hurts doubles down on skipping Eagles’ White House visit: ‘Wasn’t available’

Jalen Hurts doubles down on skipping Eagles’ White House visit: ‘Wasn’t available’

Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown reiterated why they skipped a trip to the White House last month, telling reporters Tuesday that they had scheduling conflicts that prevented…

Where тιтans’ quarterback compeтιтion between Cam Ward and Will Levis stands

Where тιтans’ quarterback compeтιтion between Cam Ward and Will Levis stands

тιтans head coach Brian Callahan is pleased with what he’s seen from quarterbacks Cam Ward and Will Levis this spring. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the second-year тιтans…

Rob Gronkowski names the Patriots star who used to masturbate in team meetings

Rob Gronkowski names the Patriots star who used to masturbate in team meetings

New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski has revealed that his fellow тιԍнт end, the late Aaron Hernandez, used to masturbate during team meetings. Hernandez was convicted in 2015…

NFL owners unanimously approve Olympic flag football participation

NFL owners unanimously approve Olympic flag football participation

The NFL can now look forward to its Gold Medal era. League owners officially approved a resolution allowing players to participate in flag football at the 2028…

Travis Kelce living in  million Florida mansion with best friend for offseason training

Travis Kelce living in $20 million Florida mansion with best friend for offseason training

Travis Kelce is living lavishly while training in Boca Raton this offseason. The Chiefs All-Pro тιԍнт end moved into a $20 million mansion with a private dock…