Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, TJ Watt has been on a tear since coming into the league in 2017. The Steelers OLB has just been a force to be reckoned with on the edge totaling 72 sacks, 294 combined tackles (216 solos), 80 tackles for a loss, 150 QB hits, 32 passes defended, 22 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries, and 4 interceptions in JUST 5 years. His numbers are just astronomical!
Watt, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), only has one of the awards in his five NFL seasons. However, one could argue that the Steelers' edge rusher should be a two-time or three-time winner of the award. He's currently dominating Steelers' training camp, trying to repeat as the NFL's DPOY in the upcoming 2022 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
However, the reigning NFL's DPOY, wasn't always a defensive player...
In a recent interview with NBC Sports‘ reporter Peter King, Watt discussed several topics including his switch from tight end to linebacker at Wisconsin and being counted out by NFL scouts from the get go.
We all know the story of the Steelers defensive leader being originally recruited to play tight end at the University of Wisconsin, but King asks Watt, "What was it like when your head coach says, ‘I think we're going to move you to defense?’ What happened?"
“Yeah, it was a little slap in the face at first, of course, because it's like, what, am I not a good enough tight end?” Watt stated he questioned the switch initially. "But I understood. I took a breath and understood why he was saying it. He said, 'We need to find a way to get you on the field.' And it was just happening because I was twerking on the edge. Guys are falling on me a lot. When you're on offense, you don't have those problems.On defense, you can usually avoid the piles. So I kind of went home after he told me that, watched some YouTube videos, watching highlights of guys playing defense, and just fell in love with the attitude and being able to make a play on every single down. You don't have to have the ball run your way to have a good block or the ball thrown for you to make a good catch."
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on July 28, 2022. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Watt went on to talk about consulting his brothers, JJ Watt and current Steelers' teammate, Derek Watt, a little about the switch, but he just wanted to play, it didn't matter where at this point. King then asks Watt about his decision to come out in the 2017 NFL Draft and the process of it all.
"Yeah, it was tough because I felt like I was just getting started," Watt began to answer King's question. "I was starting to get comfortable. Early on, stuff was very natural to me, but I didn't really know the X's and O's of everything, so it took me a while to really understand what offenses were trying to do and how to play defense. And I actually got a return to school grade in December when I asked if I should go out or stay in."
Players with eligibility left on the collegiate level have the ability to ask the NFL about their potential draft grade. What did Watt's petition say when he got it back?
"It said, 'return to school, you need time to develop as a player,'" Watt stated while sharing a slight chuckle with King. "So basically from that point on, when I made the switch I said, 'I'm dedicating my life to football. I'm betting on myself. I know how hard I work. I know what I can do. I'm going to believe in myself. I have a great support system.'So when I read that letter, it was like, these people don't know me, all they know is what they see on film. They don't know me personally. They don't know how hard I work, how hard I'm going to work to show these teams that I belong here and that's kind of it from there. I ripped up the paper and said, 'Screw it, I'm going to the NFL.'"
Lake Fong/Post-Gazette
What a great decision it was! Watt has made the Steelers look like geniuses in their decision to draft the former Wisconsin edge rusher, who played only one full year on defense prior to being drafted by the organization. The team and Watt hasn't looked back since, he's a staple for this defense will continue to be for years to come!
What are yinz thoughts on Watt's story of being counted out? Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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