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J.J. Watt: Brother T.J. 'a lot better' than I was as draft prospect

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Name recognition isn't all T.J. Watt has going for him heading into the NFL draft.

Thought by many to be in the mix for a first- or second-round pick this week, the incredibly athletic Wisconsin standout is one of the many intriguing prospects to choose from in a stacked edge-rush class.

If the assessment from older brother, and Houston Texans All-Pro, J.J. Watt is to be taken as any indication, he could be on track for stardom at the next level.

"He's so similar to me but he's farther along than I was at that point in the process," J.J. said, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. "He's a lot better player than I was at that time. He has a lot more to grow even than I had. I think he's a really special player and it's been a lot of fun to watch him go through the process.

"He's so hungry. He's just itching to learn and grow as a person and as a player so he is always asking questions, he's always wanting to compete in the workouts."

J.J., also a Wisconsin product, joined the Texans as the No. 11 overall pick in 2011.

Despite coming off the board early in the first round, few could have anticipated him emerging as a historically great player so soon after breaking into the league.

Might T.J. be poised for a similar jump? Racking up 9.5 sacks as a junior, just his second season playing on the defensive side of the ball, suggests that he's only beginning to tap into his potential.

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