JJ Watt to be inducted into Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame

JJ Watt is heading to the Wisconsin Hall of Fame. On Monday, the program announced the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be the next name to join a long list of successful Badgers.

Watt played at Wisconsin from 2008-2010. In his final season with the Badgers, Watt was a First-Team All-American and earned the Lott Trophy, given annually to the college football defensive IMPACT player of the year.

Watt is also tied for sixth in school history with 21 tackles for loss in a single season. Additionally, the 6-foot-5 defensive end’s 91 tackle-for-loss yards ranks seventh in program history. Watt wasn’t always a Badger.

Making Badger history

Watt began his collegiate career with one season as a tight end at Central Michigan. However, the five-time Pro Bowler transferred to Wisconsin after his freshman season. Watt didn’t have an immediate impact. Instead, the soon-to-be-star was a defensive scout team player.

As we all know, Watt didn’t stay out of the spotlight for long. The 34-year-old is forever thankful for the program’s patience.

“I think that there’s something to be said for letting people grow and develop, teaching people, coaching people, making them a better version of themselves,” Watt said, per Wisconsin. “I think Wisconsin certainly did that for me.”

Watt stamps his impact in the NFL

Watt only continued to improve as he reached the NFL. The Houston Texans selected the Wisconsin native with 11th overall pick in the 2011 Draft. Watt didn’t wait long to make his mark. Watt won the Defensive Player of the Year Award three times in his first five NFL seasons.

After retiring following the 2022 season, Watt holds the records for most tackles for loss (172), sacks (101), and forced fumbles (25) in Texans’ history. In his time with the organization, he led the league in sacks twice and tackles for loss three separate years (2012, 2014, 2015).

Watt’s brother, Derek and TJ, followed in his footsteps at Wisconsin, building their own legacies. The Watt name is synonymous with Badger football, and they wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Wisconsin is such an incredible brand in its own right, it’s so well established,” Watt said. “To come in and utilize everything that had already been built, and to take that and enhance it in any way we can with what we’ve been able to build in the NFL, is something that we’re extremely proud of.”