logo
Desmond Watson ready to shape his own narrative during tenure with Bucs

Desmond Watson ready to shape his own narrative during tenure with Bucs

USA Today13-05-2025

Desmond Watson ready to shape his own narrative during tenure with Bucs
Desmond Watson is a mountain of a man and an imposing presence on the football field.
He played a vital role in the success that the Florida Gators' defense had down the stretch in 2024. They had a tough start to the season, but he was part of the reason they turned it around in the end. He now hopes to carry that momentum into his NFL career,r and so far he has, starting with shedding some of his weight.
After weighing 464 pounds at the Florida Pro Day, he is already losing weight. He is doing so because he wants to be more than a number at the end of his career. In an interview with Bucs media, he explained as much and more.
"I feel like my name is etched in history, of course, as the official heaviest player in the NFL, or whatnot, it's a good story; at the same time I don't want it 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 because I did it in college, too. It's nice to be able to make history but all in all, I am a football player and I want to be known as a good one. So it's just a process that comes with it, I guess."
Watson is already receiving praise from coaches early on after a good rookie minicamp, and he now has momentum going into the next set of organized team activities.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Oregon Football's Kenyon Sadiq pegged as breakout NFL draft riser for 2025
Oregon Football's Kenyon Sadiq pegged as breakout NFL draft riser for 2025

USA Today

time10 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Oregon Football's Kenyon Sadiq pegged as breakout NFL draft riser for 2025

Oregon Football's Kenyon Sadiq pegged as breakout NFL draft riser for 2025 In 2025, all signs point towards Kenyon Sadiq becoming a household name for the Oregon Ducks. With his talent, Sadiq would have been most anyone else's starting tight end for the past two seasons, but he had to play a backup role to Terrance Ferguson. Now it's his time to shine. Sadiq is one of the more experienced receivers on the Duck roster this coming season, and he's expected to have a breakout season in 2025. As a result, with his size, NFL scouts should have a field day rating him. Sadiq will be a hot commodity when the NFL draft rolls around. According to USA TODAY writer Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, Sadiq could go high in the 2026 NFL selection process. "With second-round tight end Terrence Ferguson and top receivers Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden off to the NFL, the Ducks are set for a reconfiguration in their receiving corps," he said. "Big things are expected of Evan Stewart as the former five-star recruit enters his second season in Eugene after transferring from Texas A&M, but Sadiq might be the true wild card for the offense. "At 6-3 and 245 pounds, he's a more formidable run blocker than his size might suggest. His true value, however, lies in his ability to create mismatches as a supersized receiver with impressive long speed. Sadiq will have to show he can handle being a featured part of the Ducks' offense and develop into something more than a seam threat, but he's one of the most intriguing draft-eligible tight ends to keep an eye on." The Oregon offense isn't expected to change a whole lot with quarterback Dante Moore under center, but just because of Sadiq's pure talent, the Ducks might go to him more, especially in the red zone and goal-line situations. He showed what he can do in those situations in the Big Ten title game, as he scored two touchdowns in the win over Penn State. Oregon fans have said, "More of that, please," and the Ducks are about to oblige. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

Key details revealed for Florida-Florida State basketball showdown
Key details revealed for Florida-Florida State basketball showdown

USA Today

time10 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Key details revealed for Florida-Florida State basketball showdown

Key details revealed for Florida-Florida State basketball showdown Florida basketball fans can officially mark their calendars: The annual rivalry matchup with the Florida State Seminoles is set. According to CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein, the Florida Gators will host the Seminoles on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in Gainesville, continuing one of the most anticipated non-conference showdowns on the college basketball calendar. This early-season clash comes with major intrigue for both programs. The Gators are fresh off a national championship and returns a reloaded roster featuring Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland. Head coach Todd Golden will look to extend Florida's recent dominance in the rivalry, having won four straight over the Seminoles. The most recent meeting between the two came on Nov. 15, 2024, when the Gators left Tallahassee with a convincing 87-74 victory. Now, with the game returning to Gainesville, Florida has the opportunity to extend their win streak to five games–a streak that would further solidify their in-state supremacy. The full 2025-26 schedule for Florida basketball is expected to be released in August, but this matchup is already one of the most highly anticipated games on the docket. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Commanders Pushed to Trade for Bengals' Trey Hendrickson
Commanders Pushed to Trade for Bengals' Trey Hendrickson

Newsweek

time14 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Commanders Pushed to Trade for Bengals' Trey Hendrickson

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the Washington Commanders are in a much different position compared to last year. They are no longer a surprise to the league. Instead, they are expected to be right back in playoff contention, potentially making a push for a Super Bowl. On paper, Washington looks like it will be better in 2025. A recent trade idea put together by ESPN presented a potential framework that could help the Commanders bring on a multi-time Pro Bowl player, boosting their defense ahead of next year. What does the hypothetical deal look like? In this case, the Commanders would acquire the veteran defensive end Trey Hendrickson. In exchange, the Cincinnati Bengals would land the defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, a 2026 third-round pick, and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio."Washington is in win-now mode, but Dorance Armstrong is its best edge rusher. Adding Hendrickson, who recorded the second-best pass rush win rate at edge last season (24%), would be a huge boost," writes ESPN's Seth Walder. "Losing Newton would make an old defense older, but the Commanders have strong veteran options on the interior defensive line in Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw, and Deatrich Wise Jr. (who can move inside if needed). By including Newton in the deal, the Commanders can put together a feasible package without a second-round pick." Hendrickson carries an impressive resume and recently earned his most notable accolade since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since 2021, Hendrickson has made four Pro Bowl games. Last year, he was named an All-Pro for the first time in his career. In 17 games, Hendrickson had 46 tackles. He led the NFL in sacks with 17.5, a number he achieved one season prior. It remains his career-high. In this case, the Commanders would be cutting ties with a homegrown prospect. Just last year, the Commanders picked up Newton out of Illinois with the 36th overall pick. He started in 11 games and made 16 total appearances. The veteran pass rusher had 44 combination tackles and registered two sacks. With the Commanders looking to beef up their chances of making it out of the NFC title game, they just might have to make some tough decisions regarding the future of some of their young prospects. Hendrickson seems to be in play for those who are interested. Back in March, the Bengals reportedly granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. So far, the Bengals haven't received an offer worth their while.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store