The Associated Press end-of-season awards sparked some excitement for Wisconsin football fans as two Badger alumni, T.J. Watt and Zack Baun, earned nominations for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Two Wisconsin natives are among the finalists for NFL defensive player of the year. Also, each NFL team remaining has a UW alumnus on the roster.

Former Wisconsin Badgers Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles) and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) were named finalists for the AP Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has been named one of the five finalists for this year's AP Defensive Player of the Year Award. T.J. Watt, Zack Baun, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendricksen, and Patrick Surtain II are the finalists for the award this year.

While 2024 was a historic year for the newest Steeler in the 100-sack club, T.J. Watt, his performance to end the season raises questions about the legitimacy of his inclusion in the D.P.O.Y. race. Th

Along with Barkley and Baun, the Eagles had Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean named finalists for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is up for Assistant Coach of the Year.

Either Cleveland’s Myles Garrett or Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt could become just the sixth player in NFL history to win at least two AP Defensive Pla

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was named a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Watt, who was a longtime favorite to win the award but has now dropped in odds, had at least one vote go his way to earn his way onto the finalist panel.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was named a Defensive Player ... and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun. Watt had a down year for his career, racking up 11.5 sacks but ...

Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt is named one of five finalists for AP Defensive Player of the Year, an award he previously won in 2021.

Here is how to watch those former Badgers in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, which begin on Thursday night. The Pro Bowl Games will be broadcast on ESPN. It begins with the Skills Show on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. CT, then continues with Flag Football on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. CT.

Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett will have to wait until next week to learn if he’ll repeat as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, but according to the Sporting News, he’s already a repeat winner of the award.