Bucs D-Lineman Doesn’t Want to Be Defined by His Record Weight

Buccaneers defensive tackle stands at 6'6 and is listed at 464 pounds.

Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is stiff armed by Desmond Watson #21 of the Florida Gators after he recovered a fumble during the second half of a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., on Nov. 12, 2022. James Gilbert/Getty Images

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Desmond Watson wants to change the narrative around his weight.

At an absolutely massive 6 feet 6 inches tall and 464 pounds, Watson is the heaviest player in NFL history. He signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL Draft. In an interview with media during Buccaneers rookie mini-camp over the weekend, Watson said that his weight loss journey is a process but he has a good support system in place; he also said that football is unique because it gives a role to players of all shapes and sizes.

“We’re still working,” Watson said. “It’s [a] transition from [a] new nutritionist and things like that, so we’re still coming up with a plan to keep it going. Obviously it’s still a work in progress.”

“It’s a ways to go, and we’re just going to see where I play best at, where I feel best at,” he added.

Watson also expressed his gratitude to local media outlets for providing him with a push to cut more weight. He also joked that if all else fails, he would call his mom to keep him in line.

Watson’s listed weight on the team’s roster sits at 464 pounds but reporters noted that he has already cut down to 437 pounds. The previous record holder was Aaron Gibson, who weighed in at 386 pounds at the 1999 NFL Scouting Combine and played as high as 410 pounds. Baltimore Ravens guard Daniel Faalele was the heaviest player in the NFL last season, with a listed weight of 380 pounds at 6 feet 8 inches tall.

“I feel like my name is etched in history, of course, as being the official heaviest player in the NFL or whatnot,” Watson said. “It’s a good story but at the same time, I don’t want that to be my narrative ... I want to be known as a football player, and a good football player at that. But it’s nice to be able to make history—I guess again, ‘cause I did in college too ... but all in all, I am a football player and I want to be known as a good one at that.”

Watson entered college in Florida weighing 440 pounds, though he played his freshman season at 400. He appeared in 51 games, registering 63 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. He famously had a single carry in the 2024 Gasparilla Bowl against Tulane that went for 1 yard and a first down. He also had a solo tackle in which he lifted quarterback Ty Thompson into the air.

Watson is not the only history-maker on the Bucs’ roster. Seventh-round draft pick, wide receiver Tez Johnson, is reportedly the lightest player in NFL history at just 154 pounds.

“I think that just goes to show how good of a sport that football is,” Watson said. “You can have a person that’s his size and a person that’s my size on the same field. It’s just good to see.

“I think that’s one of the things that make football the best sport, to me personally. It’s just nice to be able to see the variety of different people, different personalities, different backgrounds, and even different sizes.”

A reporter then asked if he was going to take a picture with Johnson. “I’m sure it'll happen eventually,” Watson said.

A native of nearby Plant City, Watson spent his college career in Florida and now gets to begin his career with his hometown team.

A reporter asked Watson why he was smiling. “I’m happy,” he replied. “It’s a dream come true. I feel like I can’t do anything but smile, you know?”

“I was having a conversation maybe a couple days ago,” he added. “My life feels like a movie. You couldn’t write a script where a person goes from little league to high school to college, not having to move out of the state.

“I think one of the coaches was messing with me the other day because I’ve still never seen snow,” he joked.