How J.J. Watt changed the team’s focus, according to Ben Barten

Wisconsin defensive end Ben Barten (68) sacks Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) during the first quarter of their game Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wisconsin beat Minnesota 28-14.
Wisconsin defensive end Ben Barten (68) sacks Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) during the first quarter of their game Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Wisconsin beat Minnesota 28-14. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

J.J. Watt came to speak to the Wisconsin Badgers team a couple of weeks ago, and the players walked away impressed. Defensive lineman Ben Barten, even weeks later, hasn't forgotten how he helped the Badgers refocus. Some of the main points stuck with him, and he can't forget how it impacted the team's mindset going forward.

JJ Watt told Wisconsin football: "It's not about the scheme, but the person in the scheme"

You can watch the short clip of Barten above talking about the inspiration that JJ Watt gave the Badgers football team. In that clip, Barten spoke about the biggest takeaways for him and his team.

"Hearing from JJ Watt was like, it's not about the scheme, it's about the person you put in the scheme. If you aren't going to go out there and be a dawg, then don't go on the field. You have to be willing to bring it to them; never be the ones taking it from them. He told us, 'Your mentality that you bring out to the field every day during a practice day will shape who you become. "
Ben Barton

What's important about this is that fans have long discussed the notion that the Badgers seemed to have lost their way during the Fickell era. It wasn't just the scheme, but the way they spoke and carried themselves. It seems as if the new era has lost what it means to be a Badger. JJ Watt is working to instill it in them again.

Watt knows not to worry about the scheme and just do his best, as he played in the NFL and had to adapt to different schemes and coordinators. He just continued to be among the league's best year after year. He put his head down and did his job exceptionally well. That's what Wisconsin football is about: hard-nosed, outwork everyone, and be the biggest dawgs on the field.