Defensive lineman DeSean Watts unofficially led the Washington defense in quarterback hurries this Spring with seven total. His transfer up to the Pacific Northwest came with prolific run defense accolades, but he proved versatility with his pass rush up front over the month of April.
“I’m for sure a run stopper,” Watts said this Spring. “But when a pass comes, I can get after that quarterback for sure.” Listed at 6’-0” and 313 pounds, Watts has the build of a true run defender. But he also has elite quickness at the position for his size. That agility translated to quarterback hurries and plays made in the backfield this Spring.
“I like his run defense,” defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi said this Spring. “He’s pretty good with his hands. He’s stout. He’s got good leverage just naturally.” Kaufusi also took note of Watts’ pass-rush abilities early on in April. “I’m really surprised with him being light on his feet and transitioning in some of the play-action game,” he said. “And then also just the straight dropback game. I mean, he’s got something to him in terms of just naturally getting to [the quarterback].
DeSean Watts’ Versatility
All-Conference Run Defender
In 2025 at Sacramento State, Watts earned a 91.4 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus. That number rated the highest among interior defensive linemen in all of Division I college football. The new Husky rated above Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, a Unanimous All-American and Outland Trophy Finalist last year, who had a 91.2 grade on the season. McDonald’s rating was the best in the FBS, but Watts cleared that with his performance in the Big Sky Conference.
In the year, Watts recorded 36 tackles with four for loss, and two sacks as a Hornet. He also notched 24 stops, which ranked the most on the team at any defensive position, and tallied 17 quarterback pressures, a glimpse into his versatility at the position. His performance earned him first-team all-Big Sky honors after last season. Watts played at Fresno City Junior College in 2023 and 2024 before making the jump to the FCS last season. He’s now transitioning his game to the FBS in the Power Four.
DeSean Watts’ Spring Performance
That transition was seamless during Spring practice. In addition to unofficially leading the team in pressures, Watts had two tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass breakup during the team’s practice this Spring. For a defensive front that only returns one starter and adds three transfers and some freshmen, it needs players like Watts to make an immediate impact. He did that this Spring and showed how he can be a plug-and-play transfer in this fall’s group up front.
The new Husky also provides a presence in the defensive line room beyond just statistics. Watts is vocal and brings high energy to the front seven. “He’s a joy to be around,” Kaufusi said of Watts earlier this Spring. “He’s always bringing some energy, you know, in the meeting rooms. He’s always talkative, brings good juice. And even his skillset, I mean, he’s pretty light on his feet when he wants to run around.”
“Under [Ryan Walters’] scheme, it’s really fun,” Watts said. “Being a defensive lineman, just making plays, getting off blocks, block to struggle, like Coach Kofusi says, Coach Rush, and just getting after the quarterback.”
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Photo Credit: Nick Lemkau Last Word On College Football
