Four-time NFL Pro Bowler TY Hilton's Father's Day weekend is off to a memorable start.
High school football star Eugene Hilton Jr, son of former Indianapolis Colts star, announced his commitment to play college football at Wisconsin. The younger Hilton chose Wisconsin after drawing interest from several other schools, including Miami, Georgia and Ole Miss.
Former Badgers football star JJ Watt was excited to learn his alma mater had landed its highly sought-after recruit.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Former NFL player JJ Watt visits the set of the Amazon Prime TNF pregame show before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 2, 2023 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“[H]”I'm happy to root for a Hilton now, instead of seeing a 50-yard dash behind me,” the former NFL pass rusher responded to a photo of Hilton and his son posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
SEE MOMENT ON X
Hilton then responded to Watt, writing “We're on teams now JJ,” along with a greeting emoji.
Hilton Jr., a standout wide receiver from Zionsville Community High School in Indiana, is a three-star prospect in the class of 2025.
AS TOM BRADY AND JJ WATT YEAR OR ONE MORE SNAP, FORMER NFL STAR EXPLAINS WHY FOOTBALL KEEPS PLAYERS
Watt was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft following his standout career in Madison.
TY Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts is seen during the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The elder Hilton spent his days playing college football at Florida International University. But he spent most of his NFL days playing for the Texans' AFC South division rival: the Colts.
Hilton had 1,820 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions in his 20 career games against the Texans. Hilton appeared in three games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 before retiring from football.
Former Houston Texans player JJ Watt greets the crowd during an induction ceremony into the Texans Ring of Honor during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium on October 1, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Hilton Jr. said he did not take his decision to commit to Wisconsin lightly.
“It means a lot to me. Not just to me, but to my family to know that they check the boxes and then some,” he said of his commitment to the Badgers.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Something that also stands out is how many guys Coach Fickell has put in the league,” Hilton said, referring to Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell. He was named the Badgers' head coach in 2022, but spent the previous six seasons in Cincinnati.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
