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Desmond Watson signs with NFL team as undrafted free agent

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/26/25•

ZachAbolverdi

Desmond-Watson-Florida-Gators
Florida's Desmond Watson. (Photo by Jordan Herald/@GatorsFB)

Desmond Watson is starting his NFL career in his hometown. The Florida defensive lineman signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday as an undrafted free agent.

Greg Auman of Fox Sports first reported the signing. Watson, a 6-foot-5, 464-pound prospect, gets a $20,000 bonus with the Bucs and $50k guaranteed.

Watson impressed at Florida’s Pro Day. He did 36 reps on the bench (more than any player at the Combine) with a 25″ vertical and 5.93 40-yard dash.

“Nothing surprises me. Des, obviously, he’s a unicorn,” UF coach Billy Napier said of Watson. “You go the rest of your career, you’ll never be around a guy that’s at that stature, and then you get to know Des. He’s extremely intelligent, he’s got a great sense of humor, he was a great teammate, and he showed up in good shape today. So, he’ll get his shot, and I’m hoping he’ll make the most of it.”

Watson made 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his four-year career. He never missed a game in his career, making 51 consecutive appearances and 10 starts.

RELATED: Desmond Watson Legacy Game: ‘Give him the ball Coach!’

Watson also rushed for a first down in his final collegiate game at the Gasparilla Bowl. He struggled to get his weight down at Florida but was still able to play.

“I think he’s learned a lot. I think that this past year, we probably did it the best we’ve done it,” Napier said. “I thought that (strength and conditioning) coach (Tyler) Miles, (Director of Football Nutrition and Assistant Strength & Conditioning) coach Sankal and (defensive line) coach (Gerald) Chatman, that working relationship. He’s had numerous nutritionists, numerous position coaches, numerous strength coaches.

“And I think this past year, we probably executed the best we have. And I thought he played his best football of his career. So in general, I think he’s learned a lot about habit building and self-discipline. Ultimately, the guy’s frame score would indicate that he’s going to be huge. That number is always going to be pretty big. I mean, he’s 6-foot-6, and just the density, the bone structure. I mean, he’s just a big man.”

Draft analysis

“Watson can gather and occupy double-teams without losing his gap and is strong enough to shed single blocks fairly quickly. However, he lacks consistency in attacking blocking schemes and controlling blockers with hand quickness as a two-gapper. Watson has the size and strength to play for an odd-front unit as a nose tackle but managing his weight will have to be a priority for the team that adds him.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

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