David Wilson NFL Draft prospect notes

by Dan Kadar on Sep 23, 2011 2:47 PM EDT

David Wilson
5'10, 205 pounds | Running back | Virginia Tech

First word: Wilson is the latest in an impressive string of Hokies running backs who will get a chance in the NFL. The trouble is, whether it's Lee Suggs, Kevin Jones or Cedric Humes, none have contributed much at the next level. The Hokies sent Ryan Williams and Darren Evens to the NFL this year, but Williams is out for the season and Evans is buried on the Colts roster.

Wilson has largely been an outside runner during his career. He's shown on plays outside the tackle box and in the return game that he can break a big gain. If he wants to help his draft stock, though, getting positive yards between the tackles is a must.

Notes:

• When he gets into open space, Wilson seems to have that mythical second gear to break away from defenders.

• Hard to take down with an arm tackle. It's not necessarily because he's a power back, either. Wilson has plenty of wiggle to his game to shake off tacklers.

• Is a strong enough runner to be able to grind on a defense early and still break a big gain late in the game.

• Has a knack for making big plays at important times. Against North Carolina State last season, Wilson turned the game around with a big kickoff return for a touchdown. He won the game for Virginia Tech against Georgia Tech with another touchdown return.

* Added 10 pounds of mass before his junior season and looks like a much stronger runner.

• Still needs to get more comfortable running between tackles and setting up his blockers. Like many speedy running backs, Wilson needs to start setting up his blockers better.

• Shows off his agility when cutting back inside on sweep plays outside.

• Is quickly developing into a legitimate No. 1 workhorse of a running back. There were questions about this before the season because he played a bit part to Williams and Evans.

• A weapon on screens in the passing game. Broke one reception in 2010 for a 65-yard touchdown.

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Wilson will be the biggest star at the combine, while a very good football player, he is an freak in workouts

Virginia Tech running back David Wilson reportedly runs the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds, holds the school’s running backs record with a power clean of 341 pounds, and did 10 consecutive standing back flips at the Hokies’ media day.

He’s also a former high school national champion in the triple jump and is a first-team All-American triple jumper after he finished sixth at the NCAA outdoor national championships.

By Wilson’s senior year he was one of most coveted running backs in the country. Late in his recruiting process, after he had orally committed to Virginia Tech, Coach Urban Meyer and Florida came calling, promising Wilson that he could become the next Percy Harvin.

Deeply religious, he reportedly has Tebow-like character, as part of a Fellowship of Christian Athletes mission trip, he traveled to Mississippi with some of his high school teammates during his spring break in 2008 to help rebuild homes destroyed by Katrina. They helped rebuild roofs, painted decks and installed dry wall and cabinets.

For years (both in high school, and at Va Tech) he wears a shirt and tie to class every day.

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/12/va-techs-dynamic-playmaker-also-dapper-jokester

by durst on Sep 24, 2011 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs