Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Wisconsin Football: Could Nick Herbig be the next TJ Watt?

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 20, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Austin Allen (11) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers tight end Austin Allen (11) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Wisconsin football has had its fair share of top-tier pass rushers over the years and Nick Herbig may end up being the best of the bunch.

Over the years, Wisconsin football has been known for two things: producing elite running backs and featuring stingy defenses.

It feels like Wisconsin churns out NFL running backs every 2-3 years and Braelon Allen looks like the next after his breakout season in 2021.

On defense, the Badgers usually have elite pass-rushers and linebackers. The most popular recent example of that would be TJ Watt who was a monster at Wisconsin in 2016.

In fact, he was the second-highest graded passing-rushing edge rusher according to PFF, behind only Joe Schobert the season before Watt broke out. That all changed in 2021 as Nick Herbig had a monster yeah and became Wisconsin’s top all-time graded edge rusher.

Herbig finished with the highest grade for an edge rusher after posting 61 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 13 games. This was also his first full year as a starter for the Badgers — similar to Watt’s first full season as a starter in 2016.

Although he doesn’t quite have the size of Watt, standing three inches shorter and about 23 pounds lighter, could he be the next Wisconsin edge rusher to take the NFL by storm?

Watt has become one of the brightest stars in the league, following in the footsteps of his older brother, JJ. He is a nearly unstoppable force for the Steelers and the former first-round pick is living up to his immense potential. Herbig seems to be on a similar track, but I could see him flying a little more under the radar in next year’s draft because of his size.

Herbig will be in contention for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and I could see him leaving early to pursue an NFL dream and making a roster in 2023. But being praised as the next TJ Watt over a PFF rating seems a little drastic. That would be a hot take.

I do, however, believe that he has a bright future ahead of him and the 2022 season will turn a lot of heads as scouts will drool over his potential.

Wisconsin will be sending another edge rusher to the NFL in the form of Herbig and this is only going to help recruiting efforts at the position.

Next. 5 programs that could be the next dynasty. dark

Home/Wisconsin Badgers