Desmond Watson, the 6’6″, 464-pound defensive tackle from Florida, is on track to become the heaviest player ever selected in the NFL Draft. Known for his rare blend of mass and movement, Watson wowed scouts with a 5.93-second 40-yard dash and 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
Yet, beneath the headlines is Deonzia Woullard—his mother and anchor—whose unwavering support and influence played a key role in Watson’s development both on and off the field. Her impact shaped the foundation of his relentless journey to the NFL.
Desmond Watson’s Mother’s Basketball Past Helped Build the Draft’s Heaviest, Most Athletic DT
Desmond Watson’s immense frame isn’t random—it’s inherited. His mother, Deonzia Woullard, a former youth basketball player, passed along both athletic instincts and the drive that helped shape him into one of the 2025 NFL Draft’s most intriguing prospects.
According to Yahoo Sports, at 6’6″ and 464 pounds, Watson is poised to become the heaviest player ever drafted. But his mobility and strength, highlighted by a 5.93-second 40-yard dash and 36 bench reps of 225 pounds at Florida’s Pro Day, have surprised many, except those who know his roots.
🚨NEWS: The Pittsburgh #Steelers are the FAVORITES to draft Florida defensive tackle Desmond Watson, per @BovadaOfficial.
Watson is 6-foot-6 and 464 pounds. He will be the heaviest player in #NFL history. pic.twitter.com/vTXjFSgnM3
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 25, 2025
Woullard’s own sports background inspired her to push her children toward athletics, instilling the values of hard work and structure from a young age. Watson often credits her with teaching him discipline—qualities that helped him emerge as a standout at Armwood High School, where he posted 65 tackles and 34 tackles for loss during his junior year.
Choosing Florida over offers from other national powers, Watson stayed grounded, thanks in large part to his family. Woullard’s steady influence proved vital through challenges, such as public criticism about his weight and being overlooked by the NFL Combine.
Watson’s size runs in the family. His father stands 6’4″ and weighs 300 pounds, while Woullard, who now weighs about 250 pounds, attributes her gain to raising six children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being the lightest of his siblings at birth—just 9 pounds—his father often remarks that Desmond clearly inherited the family’s genes.
Though Watson didn’t speak to reporters after his Florida Pro Day, Gators coaches and teammates praised his performance.
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With the NFL Draft in full swing, all eyes are on which team will take a chance on the largest—and possibly most unique—defensive tackle in NFL history.
“I’m ready for it,” Watson said in a phone interview. “I am one of the best run-stoppers out there, and it’s not just because of what I am packing. There is some technique there, too.”
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