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Throwback Thursday Tribute: Defensive Lineman J.J. Watt

ByChristian Borman|
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans look on from the crowd in the first half of the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans look on from the crowd in the first half of the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

This week’s Throwback Thursday features former defensive lineman J.J. Watt.

Wisconsin football isn’t known for grabbing 5-star caliber recruits who come into the program as superstars. What they are known for, is developing 2-star and 3-star, blue-collar players into impact players.

This idea fits many former Wisconsin Badgers, but maybe none more than Justin James Watt.

Watt grew up a huge Badger fan in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, just an hour away from Camp Randall Stadium.

In an impressive junior season in high school, Watt earned all-conference honors. He hoped to get a chance to get some exposure in the summer before his senior season by attending camps. Before he had the opportunity, he came down with mononucleosis and missed a lot of time and opportunities to get his name out there.

Ultimately, Watt received five scholarship offers from the likes of Central Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, Northern Illinois and Wyoming.

No offers from the Wisconsin Badgers, his dream school.

Watt eventually went on to Central Michigan. He switched positions to play tight end to get on the field. In his freshman season with the Chippewas, Watt caught only 8 passes for 77 yards.

That’s not what he signed up for or what he wanted. He knew all along he didn’t belong there. He belonged in Madison. He transferred to Wisconsin without a scholarship and took a huge bet on himself to make it at Wisconsin. It paid off in a big way, but it wasn’t easy.

Since he was a walk-on, he didn’t have a scholarship so he needed help from his parents to pay tuition. In order to help out, Watt became a pizza delivery boy. In an interview with Bleacher Report, Watt’s mother, Connie, talked about his experience as a pizza delivery guy.

"“It definitely gave him a look at what would happen if he didn’t go to college,” Connie Watt said. “It gave him the idea of working hard and show[ed] that it wasn’t something he wanted to do his whole life.”"

Watt was motivated. Plain and simple.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone how hard Watt worked to make it. He was known for being at practice early and staying late, doing anything possible to be the best player he could be. In 2008, during the season he had to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules, Watt won the Badgers’ defensive scout team player of the year that year.

In his two years at Wisconsin, Watt amassed 106 total tackles, 36.5 tackles for a loss and 11.5 sacks. During his final year at Wisconsin, he helped lead the Badgers to an 11-2 record, including a win over the top-ranked Ohio St. Buckeyes and a Rose Bowl berth.

Unfortunately for Wisconsin fans, Watt declared for the NFL draft after his junior season, leaving a year early. He was drafted 11th overall to the Houston Texans.

Former Wisconsin Badger J.J. Watt
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, poses for a photo with J.J. Watt, #11 overall pick by the Houston Texans, on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Looking back on it, if Watt would have stayed for his senior season he would have had a chance to play with Russell Wilson and the 2011 team that had a good chance to make it to the national championship. The thought leaves a lot of Badger fans wondering what could have been.

There are many more fond memories of Watt at Wisconsin to dwell on the one season he didn’t play in Madison. He offered many great moments and was part of some great teams.

Next: Ten reasons Wisconsin is overlooked

Watt will be returning to the Houston Texans after having a season-ending leg injury last season. With football season about to start,  we will hopefully be seeing Watt terrorizing quarterbacks in the backfield soon.