Four times Professional NFL player TY Hilton’s Father’s Day weekend got off to a memorable start.
High school football star Eugene Hilton Jr., the son of the former Indianapolis Colts star, has announced his commitment to play college football. in Wisconsin. The younger Hilton chose Wisconsin after receiving interest from several other schools, including Miami, Georgia and Ole Miss.
Former Badgers football star JJ Watt was thrilled to learn his alma mater landed the 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 pregame show TNF before an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on November 2 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“(H)appy to be rooting for a Hilton now, instead of watching a 50 yard run behind me,” the former NFL passer responded to a photo of Hilton and his son posted on X , formerly known as Twitter.
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 2025 class.
Watt was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft after his remarkable 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 eldest Hilton spent his days playing college football at Florida International University. But he spent the majority of his NFL days playing for the Texans’ AFC South rival – the Colts.
Hilton has 1,820 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions in his 20 career games against the Texans. Hilton appeared in three matches with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 before retiring from football.
Former Houston Texans player JJ Watt waves to the crowd during a ceremony inducting him 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 didn’t 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
“What also stands out is how many guys Coach Fickell has put in the league,” Hilton said in reference to Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell. He was named head coach of the Badgers in 2022, but spent the previous six seasons in Cincinnati.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage onand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
