J.J. Watt, a former Wisconsin defensive end, was honored by being included in the NFL’s Mount Rushmore for all-time Houston Texans last week. The 10-year Texan earned this spot alongside former All-Pros Duane Brown (LT) and DeAndre Hopkins (WR), as well as 2024 Hall of Famer Andre Johnson (WR).
In his three years as a Badger, Watt was an impactful player, winning the Lott IMPACT Trophy, being named team MVP, and earning a spot on the consensus first-team All-Big Ten. He led the team in multiple categories his senior year, showcasing his ability as a dominant defensive end.
After being selected by the Houston Texans as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Watt wasted no time making an impact. The 6-foot-6, 288-pounder quickly became known for wreaking havoc on opposing offenses, recording an impressive 20.5 sacks in his second NFL season and earning his first AP Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Throughout his career, Watt continued to excel, earning three Defensive Player of the Year awards, five All-Pro selections, and a spot on the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team. After retiring in 2022 following two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Watt is expected to be a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027, alongside seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
