In an era where Florida Football seldom sees players start and end their career with the Gators, Desmond Watson is the type of player bowl games were made perfect for. The DT from Plant City has been a bit of a folklore legend for Florida during his time in Gainesville while also managing to be a better player than advertised at times.

So perhaps it was fitting that in the final game of the season for Florida and in the final game of his Gator career, Watson was given a shine that was well deserved.

Florida Football: Great Wall of Watson

With Caleb Banks and Cam Jackson out, Watson was bound to get extended snaps in the Gasparilla Bowl and he made the most of his opportunity.

His official stat will tell you that he made one tackle on the night, but he made the most of that one tackle.

But perhaps what got Gator fans most excited and was an appropriate send-off for Watson was when he got his moment to carry the football. Since Jack Pyburn opted to leave for LSU, Florida needed a fullback for certain situations, and Watson was just the man for the job.

With the game in hand and Florida facing a 3rd and 1, Billy Napier opted to do what Lane Kiffin didn’t and took his defensive tackle up the middle for a first-down conversion.

Later in the drive, Watson was used as a blocking fullback.

He’ll leave Gainesville far from the perfect player, but in an era where it is so rare to see a guy start and finish his career in one place, Desmond Watson will hold a special folklore place in Gator fans’ hearts.