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Wisconsin Football: TJ Watt Hailing Lofty Comparisons

By Tyler Hunt

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Taylor Moton (72) and Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Taylor Moton (72) and Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL Draft is Just Around the Corner, and TJ Watt is Continuing to Rise

While much of the focus right now is on the Calendar turning to March, and the eventual Madness that ensues with it, many are overlooking the fact that the NFL Draft is just a few short weeks away from taking all the headlines once again. It seems like just yesterday the NFL’s Crown Jewel wrapped up its season, and teams broke out their clipboards to scout the next great star that could make an impact on the league. A few of those stars coming from the Cardinal and White of Wisconsin Football. One in particular is rising the rankings, that of TJ Watt.

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The Watt name certainly carries a heavy weight around the league, but TJ is starting to build his own path to becoming the next great pass rusher in the NFL. So much so, that the young star is already getting compared to some of the NFL’s elite pass rushers. While many see some of JJ in him, the opinion of NFL Network analyist Mike Maycock say differently, as he compared TJ Watt to the same skill set of Six Time Pro Bowler Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers.

The length and speed of the edge is a fair comparison, and when you really watch the tape you see some very close similarities. Watt is a tough and speedy rusher that pounces given the slightest amount of room off from his speed. The comparisions between Watt and Matthews have peaked a lot of NFL Scouts’ ears as the young linebacker is steadily rising up draft boards, so much so that some have listed him as the #1 Outside Linebacker on the Big Boards with many teams drooling at the opportunity to get the next Clay Matthews with a hint of JJ Watt. Nice combo right? It’s even entirely possible that Matthews and Watt end up as teammates, as Packers Insider Rob Demorosky has said the Green Bay Packers have a high interest in a pass rusher and Watt may fit that caliber. Who knows, maybe Matthews can teach his comparasor a few things depending on how the cards fall.