With Wisconsin Badgers’ success this season plus their wealth of young talent, it only made sense that some would make the leap to the professional ranks before their season year. T.J. Watt was the first one announcing on Tuesday he will be going pro. Watt will be one of the more talked about players in the draft due to his brother JJ and the fact he had a really good season. One does have to wonder if having a banged-up older brother affect his decision-making.

There’s nothing wrong with going pro early. Hell, Watt didn’t have much to prove. He show flashes in the run game and can be relentless to get to the quarterback. Watt ended up with 12 sacks on the year and made so many other players even if he didn’t finish the hit on the quarterback. But it’s hard for me to believe JJ’s back injuries along with other major ones influenced if he stayed at Wisconsin or went to the league. He sees his brother hurt and hobbled all Fall and thinks ‘Get the money before any sort of injury piles up.’ I don’t blame him one bit.

What’s going to be interesting is if people push for Watt to be Green Bay Packers first-round selection. We do this every year where there is a talented Badger who could fit the professional roster. For whatever reason, people can get it through their dumb fucking heads that Wisconsin isn’ the AAA program to Wisconsin. Watt does fill a need for Packers, but he has to be the best player on the board. Corey Clement might be the more reasonable Badger to join the team.

Watt’s decision leaves Ryan Ramczyk to be the last strong junior to make a decision on going pro. Badgers will endure without Watt as Garrett Dooley and Zach Baun both played this season at a solid rate.

Charlie.