At a time when Florida football players rarely begin and end their careers with the Gators, Desmond Watson is the type of player bowl games are made for. The DT from Plant City was something of a folklore legend for Florida during his time in Gainesville and also managed to be a better player than advertised at times.

So perhaps it was fitting that Watson received a deserved shine in the final game of the season for Florida and the final game of his Gators career.

Florida Football: Great Wall of Watson

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

His official stats show he made one tackle that night, but he made the most of that one tackle.

But perhaps what thrilled Gator fans the most and was a fitting sendoff for Watson was when he got the moment to carry the football. With Jack Pyburn deciding to transfer to LSU, Florida needed a fullback for certain situations, and Watson was just the man for the job.

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

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

He won’t leave Gainesville a perfect player by any stretch of the imagination, but in a time when it’s so rare for a man to start and finish his career in one place, Desmond Watson will hold a special folkloric place in the hearts of Gator fans .