T.Y. Hilton’s Father’s Day weekend started off on a high note when his son, Eugene Hilton Jr., announced his commitment to play college football at Wisconsin. The younger Hilton, a standout wide receiver at Zionsville Community High School in Indiana, chose Wisconsin after drawing interest from several other schools. Former Badgers star J.J. Watt was thrilled to hear the news, joking that he was excited to be rooting for a Hilton on the field instead of watching one run past him. Hilton Jr. is a three-star prospect in the 2025 class and said he did not take his decision to commit to Wisconsin lightly.
Watt, who was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2011 after a successful career at Wisconsin, shared his excitement about Hilton Jr.’s commitment to the Badgers. The elder Hilton, a former NFL Pro Bowler who played most of his career for the Colts, noted that Wisconsin’s head coach, Luke Fickell, has a track record of putting players in the league. Hilton Jr. mentioned that his family was also excited about his commitment to Wisconsin, as the school checked off all the boxes for him and his family. Hilton Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps by choosing to play college football at a prestigious program like Wisconsin, which has a history of producing NFL talent.
Hilton Jr. is following in his father’s footsteps by committing to play college football at Wisconsin, a program known for producing NFL talent. His commitment was met with excitement from former Badgers star J.J. Watt, who joked about being happy to root for a Hilton on the field. The younger Hilton, a three-star prospect in the 2025 class, chose Wisconsin after considering other schools like Miami, Georgia, and Ole Miss. Watt, who was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2011 after a standout career at Wisconsin, expressed his support for Hilton Jr.’s decision to play for the Badgers.
Former NFL Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton had a successful career in the league, playing most of his career for the Indianapolis Colts. He faced off against Watt and the Texans numerous times, racking up impressive receiving yards and touchdowns in those matchups. Hilton spent his college football playing days at Florida International University, while Watt played for Wisconsin before embarking on a successful NFL career. The younger Hilton’s commitment to Wisconsin has brought the family’s football journey full circle, with both father and son now connected to the Badgers program.
The elder Hilton retired from football after a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, ending a successful career that included multiple Pro Bowl appearances. Hilton Jr.’s commitment to Wisconsin marks the next chapter in the family’s football legacy, with the younger Hilton poised to make a name for himself at the college level. With the support of his family and former NFL stars like Watt, Hilton Jr. is set to continue the family tradition of success on the football field. Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell’s track record of producing NFL talent was a key factor in Hilton Jr.’s decision to commit to the Badgers, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his father and other successful Wisconsin alumni.
