Former Wisconsin football and current Pittsburgh Steelers superstar linebacker T.J. Watt captured the No. 11 spot in the NFL’s top 100 ranking ahead of the 2025 season on Friday.
Watt becomes the third former UW alumnus to pocket a position on the heralded hierarchy, joining Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion Zack Baun (No. 26) and Minnesota Vikings defensive standout Andrew Van Ginkel (No. 88). He is the third Steeler to be featured on the ranking alongside linebacker Patrick Queen (No. 75) and veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (No. 83).
At No. 11, Watt is the highest-rated linebacker on the list. Only San Francisco 49er Fred Warner, Baun, Denver Bronco Nick Bonitto, Baltimore Raven Roquan Smith and Minnesota Viking Jonathan Greenard cracked the top 50.
This marks Watt’s seventh straight NFL top 100 dating back to 2019, the year he tallied a league-best eight forced fumbles and earned a spot on the AP’s All-Pro First Team. Since then, he’s been ranked No. 25 in 2020, No. 9 in 2021, No. 6 in 2022, No. 27 in 2023 and No. 8 in 2024.
On July 17, the former Wisconsin star signed a three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons surpassed Watt with his four-year, $188 million deal on Thursday afternoon. Still, the former bdager remains one of four active non-quarterbacks with an annual contract value of at least $40 million.
As the 2024 Steelers Most Valuable Player, Watt registered 61 tackles (40 solo), 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, 27 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, four passes defensed, three strip sacks, and two fumble recoveries. As a 30-year-old, he joined the exclusive 100-sack club to become the fifth-fastest player to reach that quota in league history.
Watt will now look to captain the Steelers to another winning season. Their season begins against the New York Jets on Sept. 7 at MetLife Stadium.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
