We’ve certainly witnessed some colossal athletes in the NFL, with several being memorable precisely due to their enormous size. One player currently stands out for potentially breaking records, as he might become the heaviest individual ever to be announced in the NFL Draft.
Despite not being invited to the prestigious NFL Scouting Combine, Desmond Watson, a defensive tackle from the Florida Gators, certainly made an impression at Florida’s pro day recently. While his time at Florida didn’t earn him many awards, Watson participated in 51 games, tallying 63 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
During his pro day, Watson amazed onlookers with his strength, completing 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. He recorded a 25-inch vertical leap and finished the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds.
However, the most standout statistic wasn’t his on-field performance but what appeared on the scales. Watson weighed in at a staggering 464 pounds, which, alongside raising health concerns, positions him to potentially break a unique NFL Draft record.
According to the Associated Press, the title of the heaviest player drafted is currently a tie between offensive linemen Trent Brown in 2015 and Daniel Faalele in 2022, both tipping the scale at 380 pounds.
At his current weight, Watson surpasses them by over 80 pounds, making quite a stir.
His coach, Billy Napier, had positive things to share, attributing part of Watson’s weight to his natural build. “He’s had numerous nutritionists, numerous position coaches, and numerous strength coaches, and I believe this past year has been our best yet,” remarked Napier, as reported by APNews.com. “I feel he’s really played the best football of his career, and he’s built a lot of healthy habits through self-discipline.”
Napier continued, “Ultimately, his frame score suggests that he’s going to be huge — that number is always going to be substantial. Standing at 6-foot-6, just his bone structure alone makes him a big man.”
At present, Watson is moving from the draft fringes to being a potential contender that teams might consider taking a gamble on.
What’s your take? Will we see Watson’s name called during the draft?
And in related news: the 2022 Draft Pick has become the heaviest player in the NFL.
