4. T.J. Watt has the juice to follow in J.J.’s footsteps
It’s got to be tough trying to break into the NFL when you are the younger brother of one of the game’s best players. That’s the tall task T.J. Watt is faced with overcoming this year after spending the past few years at Wisconsin, but he is clearly up to it.
The former tight end is now a fast-rising prospect at outside linebacker or defensive end. He spoke to reporters at the combine about his best quality, which has nothing to do with his physical abilities.
“What I bring is just my work ethic,” T.J. said, per the Associated Press. “I know it’s a cliche, but I do have a motor that’s nonstop. I’m just always going after the ball. I’m always going to give a team everything that I have.”
This is certainly something that runs in the family, as his older brother has proved time and time again with the Houston Texans.
Sunday, Watt was electric on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, posting a 4.6-second 40-yard time and top-three marks in both the vertical and broad jump.
Watt vs. Watt
Watch T.J. run against J.J. in this simulcast from the #NFLCombine.
🎥: https://t.co/mVd8EZ2Csz pic.twitter.com/Z9r7jKEX2Q
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) March 5, 2017
Watt also looked fluid on the field and earned some high praise from NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, who compared him to Clay Matthews.
Another person who made a point of lauding T.J.’s performance Sunday was none other than his high-profile big brother, who used one word to describe it.
While it might be a stretch to say Watt deserves a first-round grade, he could end up being a steal in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.