Redshirt freshman Russell Wilson boasts an impressive resume in his first year campaign as starting quarterback.
He leads the ACC in passing efficiency, total offense, touchdown passes and points responsible for per game. He has thrown 226 consecutive passes without an interception — the longest active streak in the nation and a school record.
Wilson now has first team All-ACC honors to add to his career.
In true “Russell Wilson” fashion, the talented quarterback was thankful of the honors but quick to give credit to his teammates and coaches.
“Well I wasn’t really worried about any awards or anything like that [at the beginning of the season] — I just wanted to win some games,” Wilson said. “I knew we had a great team, a great coaching staff, a great atmosphere and great fans. So I knew if we played hard and won some games, things could turn out well.”
Wilson credited senior leaders Anthony Hill and Andre Brown as well as the entire offensive line and highlighed the selflessness of players like John Bedics and Teddy Larsen, who switched from offense to defense in the off-season.
The conference acknowledged the play of Wilson’s teammates as well, as Willie Young, Nate Irving and T.J. Graham each earned honorable mention All-ACC accolades.
In addition to his teammates, Wilson acknowledged what a great job the coaching staff has done in helping to mold him into the first team All-ACC quarterback he has become.
He said being honored in such a way is something he has always dreamed about but still feels he can improve. He is optimistic and excited for the future as well as the anticipation of a bowl game.
“I’ve got a lot of improving to do,” Wilson said. “To come back and win those games that we’ve won, when you’re down in the slumps and you think there is no light at the end of the tunnel, our team realized we could persevere and we kept pushing and we won some games at the end.”
Wilson said the Pack’s turnaround that sparked a four-game winning streak wasn’t due to anything more than dedicated work ethic.
“I knew that working hard actually does pay off and if you work hard everyday, things do happen the right way. I knew I could do it, inside myself,” he said. “I had all the faith in the world in myself and in my teammates and I knew that we could have a good team. It’s been a great experience.”
Coach Tom O’Brien said the young quarterback’s statistics pale in comparison to what he has meant to the team as a leader and motivator.
“Russell has had a remarkable year and we couldn’t be any prouder of him for what he has accomplished for himself and for our football team,” O’Brien said. “He has not only been efficient in handling the duties of a quarterback but has leadership skills that our team believes in and it’s evident as soon as he walks into the huddle. He is very deserving of this honor, not only because of the statistics that he’s posted, but because of the type of young man that he is.”
