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

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

T.J. Watt is again a finalist for the Associated Press defensive player of the year award, although he is not considered to be a front-runner to win it. The Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker, who won the award in 2021,

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 star edge rusher T.J. Watt is officially back in the mix for some extra hardware to close out the season, announced as a finalist for 2024 AP Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday.

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.