Derek Watt
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Derek Watt
| image = WAS at PIT Photo 9 (50696367882) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Watt with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020
| current_team =
| number = 34, 44
| position = Fullback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|11|7|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Waukesha, Wisconsin, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 234
| high_school = Pewaukee {{avoid wrap|(Pewaukee, Wisconsin)}}
| college = Wisconsin (2011–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 198
| pastteams =
- San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 71
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 2.4
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 18
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 178
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 1
| pfr = WattDe00
}}
Derek John Watt (born November 7, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His older brother is J. J. Watt, and his younger brother is Steelers linebacker T. J. Watt.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaplan |first=Emily |author-link=Emily Kaplan |date=October 12, 2016 |title=Wisconsin's Watt the Third |url=http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/10/12/nfl-draft-tj-watt-wisconsin-jj-watt-brother |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626064055/http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/10/12/nfl-draft-tj-watt-wisconsin-jj-watt-brother |archive-date=June 26, 2017 |access-date=September 9, 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite web |last=Potrykus |first=Jeff |date=August 9, 2016 |title=T.J. Watt continues his climb with Badgers |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2016/08/09/tj-watt-continues-his-climb-badgers/88443180/ |access-date=September 9, 2018 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910034744/https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2016/08/09/tj-watt-continues-his-climb-badgers/88443180/ |url-status=live }}
Early life
Watt was born the middle son of three boys to Connie, a building operations vice president, and John Watt, a firefighter. He has an older brother Justin ("J. J."), and younger brother Trent ("T. J.") who were born and raised in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Andy |date=April 28, 2017 |title=How T.J. Watt Transitioned From Tight End to a Top NFL Linebacker Prospect |url=http://www.stack.com/a/how-t-j-watt-transitioned-from-tight-end-to-a-top-nfl-linebacker-prospect |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Stack.com |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116133325/http://www.stack.com/a/how-t-j-watt-transitioned-from-tight-end-to-a-top-nfl-linebacker-prospect |url-status=live }}
He attended and played high school football at Pewaukee High School.{{Cite web |last=Radcliffe |first=JR |date=September 10, 2017 |title=The Wattch: Checking in with Pewaukee brothers J.J., T.J. and Derek Watt during the 2017 NFL season |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/sports/2017/09/10/wattch-checking-pewaukee-brothers-j-j-t-j-and-derek-watt/652222001/ |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028122640/https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/sports/2017/09/10/wattch-checking-pewaukee-brothers-j-j-t-j-and-derek-watt/652222001/ |url-status=live }}
Watt attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was teammates with his brother T. J. from 2012 to 2015.
College career
Watt played at the University of Wisconsin from 2011 to 2015.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416074028/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1.html |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He was part of the offense that helped running back Melvin Gordon amass record-breaking rushing yards during his Badger career.{{Cite web |title=Melvin Gordon College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/melvin-gordon-1.html |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310223614/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/melvin-gordon-1.html |url-status=live }}
In the 2012 season, Watt had 12 receptions for 150 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416134648/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2012/ |url-status=live }} In the 2013 season, he had three receptions for 20 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416074058/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2013/ |url-status=live }} In the 2014 season, he only appeared in three games on the season.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416074054/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2014/ |url-status=live }} In his final collegiate season in 2015, he had 15 receptions for 139 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=April 16, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416134653/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derek-watt-1/gamelog/2015/ |url-status=live }} Gordon and Watt went on to reunite as teammates when Watt was drafted by the Chargers in 2016.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=February 25, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711080840/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |url-status=live }}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Pro Football Focus rated Watt the second-best fullback in the 2016 draft overall, and he also received the second-best blocking grade among fullbacks in the draft.{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2016 |title=2016 NFL draft live analysis of Day 3 picks |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/04/30/draft-2016-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-analysis-of-day-3 |access-date=June 25, 2016 |website=profootballfocus.com}}
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2
| weight = 235
| dash = 4.77
| ten split = 1.63
| twenty split = 2.73
| shuttle = 4.32
| cone drill =
| vertical = 33.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 8
| bench = 19
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31
| hand span = 10 1/8
| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2018 |title=Derek Watt Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/derek-watt?id=2555220 |access-date=March 1, 2018 |website=nfl.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528012058/http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/derek-watt?id=2555220 |archive-date=May 28, 2017 }}{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt, Wisconsin, FB, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=113516&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=May 1, 2016 |website=DraftScout.com |archive-date=November 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101073807/https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=113516&DraftYear=2016 |url-status=live }}
}}
=San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers=
Watt was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round (198th overall) in the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Eric D. |date=April 30, 2016 |title=Derek Watt pick by Bolts gets thumbs up from big brother J.J. |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2016/story/_/id/15435637/2016-nfl-draft-derek-watt-selected-san-diego-chargers |access-date=June 25, 2016 |website=ESPN |archive-date=June 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628102337/http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2016/story/_/id/15435637/2016-nfl-draft-derek-watt-selected-san-diego-chargers |url-status=live }} In the 2019 season, Watt appeared in all 16 games and recorded a rushing touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 29, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129152659/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2019/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars - December 8th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912080jax.htm |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109152800/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912080jax.htm |url-status=live }} He played for the Chargers from 2016 to 2019. He contributed as a running back, fullback, and in a special teams role.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00.htm |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507202658/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00.htm |url-status=live }}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On March 26, 2020, Watt signed a three-year, $9.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Signing with the Steelers made Watt a teammate of his younger brother T. J., an outside linebacker.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=March 25, 2020 |title=Steelers sign fullback Derek Watt |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-fullback-derek-watt |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=Steelers.com |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924213850/https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-fullback-derek-watt |url-status=live }} In Week 2, against the Denver Broncos, Watt blocked a punt that resulted in a safety.{{Cite web |last=Rutter |first=Joe |date=September 25, 2020 |title=Steelers trying to carve out role for Derek Watt as big brother comes to town with Texans |url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-trying-to-craft-out-role-for-derek-watt-as-big-brother-comes-to-town-with-texans/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031004336/https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-trying-to-craft-out-role-for-derek-watt-as-big-brother-comes-to-town-with-texans/ |url-status=live }} On December 21, 2020, he was knocked out as a gunner as he was concussed after being blocked into former Badgers teammate Alex Erickson on a punt return.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Derek Watt being evaluated for a concussion after a scary tackle |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/21/derek-watt-being-evaluated-for-a-concussion-after-a-scary-tackle/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US |archive-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222023323/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/12/21/derek-watt-being-evaluated-for-a-concussion-after-a-scary-tackle/ |url-status=live }} After spending the whole season mainly on a special teams role with zero yards on offense, Watt ran his first rushing plays with the Steelers in the Wild Card Round against the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215225930/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2020/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 10th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101100pit.htm |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111230456/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101100pit.htm |url-status=live }}
In the 2021 season, Watt appeared in all 17 games and started four.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215231440/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2021/ |url-status=live }}
During Week 8 of the 2022 season at the Philadelphia Eagles, Watt caught a one-yard touchdown on a throw from wide receiver Chase Claypool.{{Cite web |last=Pryor |first=Brooke |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Steelers find end zone on Chase Claypool trick-play touchdown pass to Derek Watt |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34910845/steelers-find-end-zone-chase-claypool-trick-play-touchdown-pass-derek-watt |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111073108/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34910845/steelers-find-end-zone-chase-claypool-trick-play-touchdown-pass-derek-watt |url-status=live }} In the 2022 season, Watt appeared in all 17 games and started three. He continued to contribute as a fullback and on special teams.{{Cite web |title=Derek Watt 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215225932/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WattDe00/gamelog/2022/ |url-status=live }}
After not being signed to a team for the 2023 season, he announced his retirement from football via Instagram on March 12, 2024.{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Derek Watt retires from NFL after seven seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39715082/derek-watt-retires-nfl-seven-seasons |access-date=March 15, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
Personal life
Watt married Gabriella Justin in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Watt |first=Gabriella |date=February 6, 2018 |title=Instagram Gabriella Watt birthday |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Be38icGBcSV/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/Be38icGBcSV |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}} The couple's first child, son Logan James Watt, was born in February 2019,{{Cite web |last=Watt |first=Gabriella |date=February 19, 2019 |title=Instagram Logan James Watt was born on February 17, 2019 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEaHEXnKLA/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BuEaHEXnKLA |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |website=Instagram.com}}{{cbignore}} and their second son, Brayden George Watt, was born in December 2020.{{Cite web |last=Watt |first=Derek |date=December 10, 2020 |title=""In the blue corner, weighing in at a whopping 9lbs 9oz and stretching 21.5 inches long...out of Pittsburgh, PA...Brayden George Watt!" on 12/9/20 we were blessed with the newest addition to our family! Brayden and my wife Gabriella are both healthy and doing extremely well." |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CIoo2oEgV8U/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=Instagram.com |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215225931/https://www.instagram.com/p/CIoo2oEgV8U/ |url-status=live }}
In 2020, Watt appeared in a Subway commercial with his brothers J. J. and T. J. along with their parents John and Connie.{{Cite web |last=Kuhagen |first=Christopher |date=March 5, 2020 |title=The entire Watt family stars in new Subway commercial, but we especially love Connie's performance |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/sports/2020/03/05/subway-jj-watt-derek-watt-tj-watt-new-commercial-parents/4965984002/ |access-date=September 24, 2020 |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |language=en-US |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025195623/https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/sports/2020/03/05/subway-jj-watt-derek-watt-tj-watt-new-commercial-parents/4965984002/ |url-status=live }} Derek, J. J. and T. J. were also the hosts for the TV show Ultimate Tag.{{Cite web |last=Aquilina |first=Tyler |date=May 19, 2020 |title=The NFL's Watt brothers on why 'Ultimate Tag' is more sport than game show |url=https://ew.com/tv/ultimate-tag-preview-fox-jj-watt-derek-watt-tj-watt/ |access-date=May 21, 2023 |website=EW.com |language=en |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206132608/https://ew.com/tv/ultimate-tag-preview-fox-jj-watt-derek-watt-tj-watt/ |url-status=live }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://twitter.com/DerekWatt34 Twitter]
- [https://uwbadgers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2425 Wisconsin Badgers bio]
{{San Diego Chargers 2016 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watt, Derek}}
Category:American football fullbacks
Category:American people of Polish descent
Category:American people of Scottish descent
Category:American people of Swedish descent
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:People from Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:San Diego Chargers players
Category:Players of American football from Waukesha, Wisconsin