Ex-Badger T.J. Watt and brother Nate provide perfect setting for Nick Herbig to develop

Published May 13th, 4:39 EDT
by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – Shuffling his sheet, Steelers rookie outside linebacker Nick Herbig’s hips move fluidly in unison. The repeated motion wasn’t on display during a defensive drill at rookie minicamp but him dancing to the music being played during warm-ups.

Rain forced the second day of rookie minicamp indoors but that did not stop the music. The rhythm often catches everyone off guard. Subconsciously without knowing it you are tapping your foot along to the beat of hip-hop music coming through the speakers.

The volume is lowered once the individual positional groups get underway in their drills. Herbig once again was shuffling his feet and moving his hips with a sense of purpose in conjunction with the coaches’ orders and not to the toned-down music.

Herbig is a fireplug.

The harnessed energy Herbig possesses will be something Steelers Nation will see both on and off the field. The first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 racked up 61 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles, Herbig now is in the infant stages of his next football journey.

“It started out as a dream and now it has become reality,” Herbig said of finally wearing an NFL jersey. “Coach Tomlin said you have to wake up and realize that it’s in front of us now and what are we going to do about it. I’m ready.”

The uncertainty of professional football means Herbig will need to be ready at the drop of a hat. Although, if the current line-up remains healthy, he’ll mostly from the sidelines and situational passing downs as T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith man the outside spots.

The two intriguing things stand out as Herbig embarks into his rookie season. The first is his relationship with Watt due to both being former Wisconsin Badgers and second is Highsmith potentially signing a lucrative contract with another team next off-season when he enters free agency.

“I actually met him (T.J. Watt) at Pro Day a couple of years back,” Herbig said. “He showed me a couple of things. I have always admired his game. He has helped me develop my pass rush a lot and getting to work out with him was pretty cool.”

With Watt playing a full schedule just twice in his seven-year Hall of Fame career, Herbig might be counted on more often than we would expect to provide Pittsburgh with a persistent pass rush specialist if needed.

It should be a theme often mentioned as the season grows. The college connection of these two outside linebackers. Watt’s ability to mentor another Badger turned Steeler. Herbig’s adjustment to the NFL goes even deeper than his association with Watt, his brother Nate was signed to a two-year contract this spring with Pittsburgh to play guard.

“Just being in the NFL first of all is a dream come true,” Herbig said. “But to play with your best friend, my brother (Nate). That is like a whole other world.”

The guidance of playing the same position as Watt and the brotherly love from Nate should provide Nick one of the most nurturing situations for any rookie in the National Football League this season. It should help expedite Herbig to process and execute the playbook and nuances of his rookie campaign.