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.

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.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson beat out Browns defensive end Myles Garrett to claim the sack title for this season with 17.5. Hendrickson now has a chance to beat out Garrett and three others to earn his first Defensive Player of the Year award.

After winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award a year ago, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is once again a finalist.

Kerby Joseph led the NFL with nine interceptions this season. While that did get him the nod for First-Team All-Pro at safety, he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl roster in favor of Packers safety Xavier McKinney.

T.J. Watt had a solid 2024 season, but his late struggles raise questions about his finalist spot for Defensive Player of the Year.

During the regular season, Baun recorded 151 tackles to go along with 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four passes defended, and one interception. He has already been named to the Pro Bowl and has been nominated as a first-team All-Pro player.

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.

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. The inclusions are no surprise after the two were named first (Baun) and second-team All-Pro (Watt).