LOOK: JJ Watt reveals Miami Hurricanes mistake while fulfilling childhood dream

NFL star JJ Watt shared a story of his personal connection to the Miami Hurricanes program as a kid, while fulfilling a childhood dream. Watt admitted that he grew up loving Miami and wanting to play for the Canes, but never had the opportunity as a college recruit. Watt shared a photo of himself standing on the field at Miami’s facilities, as he worked out in the Hurricanes building while in town for an F1 racing event.

It’s no secret, I grew up loving the Canes.

I had orange & green bedsheets, a “U” Flag above my bed and Miami themed shoes haha.

So working out here while in town for the F1 race was very cool.

I may not have been good enough to be recruited by them, but I finally made it! pic.twitter.com/bl9Th5RY90

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 7, 2022

JJ Watt on wanting to play for the Miami Hurricanes

“It’s no secret, I grew up loving the Canes,” said Watt. “I had orange and green bedsheets, a ‘U’ Flag above my bed and Miami themed shoes, haha. So working out here while in town for the F1 race was very cool. I may not have been good enough to be recruited by them, but I finally made it!”

While it must sting to hear that a player on pace to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame wanted Miami over any other school as a kid, Miami definitely gets a pass on this recruiting miss. Coming out of high school in Pewaukee, Wisconsin — Watt was virtually unknown on the recruiting stage. He was rated a two-star prospect and didn’t draw attention as either a tight end or a defensive end.

His college career began in the MAC with Central Michigan, in a freshman year that saw him play tight end and catch just eight receptions for 77 yards. After transferring to the Big Ten and Wisconsin, he began to play defensive end again and became one of best defensive ends in the nation. In two years with the Badgers he recorded 11.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for a loss.

He won the Ronnie Lott Trophy with Wisconsin in 2010, possibly an early indicator of his future Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award that he earned in 2017. Watt was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, and he would go on to win Defensive Player of the Year three times in his first five seasons at the pro level.

Given the nature of his ascent to NFL stardom and the success of his brothers — TJ Watt and Derek Watt — it’s likely that he would’ve found success regardless of whichever school recruited him. For Miami fans however, hearing that Watt wanted nothing more than to play for the Hurricanes leads to plenty of fun what-if scenarios.