The rollercoaster ride that has been Russell Wilson’s college career is gaining momentum again after the 2008 season, a jam-packed year from start to finish. Since last year at this time, the redshirt sophomore quarterback has earned the starting quarterback job, won the ACC Quarterback of the Year Award, played a season of baseball for N.C. State and a half season of baseball for the Gastonia Grizzlies – a summer wood bat baseball team – and gone to football camp to prepare for the upcoming season.
This year’s football camp, however, was completely different from the one he attended last year. Wilson now knows going into the season that he is the unquestioned quarterback and leader of his team. He has college game experience, is confident, is a proven winner and even has the hardware to show for it.
However, Wilson knows full well that in the fickle business of sports, “what have you done for me lately” is all anyone will want to know. Wilson is putting last year’s success behind him and focusing on winning this year.
“Last season was last season,” Wilson said. “You have to start a new season and grow on that and mature. I just want to grow as a quarterback in every facet of the game. Making sure that every time I step on the field I am a winning quarterback.”
Also unlike last season, coaches and players are much more confident in the quarterback position with Wilson as the proven starter and redshirt freshman Mike Glennon as the backup, as opposed to last year with the quarterback race going undecided until the final weeks of practice.
“He’s got a lot of work still to do,” Coach Tom O’Brien said. “But certainly if he can build on last year and get better than what he was, we’re in a much better starting point at quarterback today than we were last year at this time.”
After such an amazing season last year from Wilson, which included 17 throwing touchdowns to only one interception, Wilson still believes he has plenty to improve upon, including sliding when he takes off running instead of trying to get an extra yard, which allows for unnecessary hits and risks injury.
“I am just working on my sliding. I think my baseball sliding helps me a bit,” Wilson said. “I am just watching film and understanding when I need to get down, when I need to get down a bit earlier and why I need to get down.”
Wilson’s running ability not only helps him avoid potential tacklers but also helps buy his receivers extra time to find that hole in the defense to get open for potential catch, and junior wide receiver Owen Spencer sees Wilson’s ability to extend the play as another weapon for the offense.
“His playing style is very unique and it’s a plus on our side,” Spencer said. “He is able to buy a lot of time, and in this conference with the speed on the defensive line you need time, and Russell does a good job of getting open and using his athletic ability to help us get open and let him make plays. You just try to get open and find a hole in the defense and get his attention.”
Even though the coaches are looking for him to slide more and run a bit less, Wilson is in no way trying to become a pocket passer.
“I’m not trying to be a traditional quarterback,” Wilson said. “I am just trying to be myself. I want to just continue to grow as a quarterback.”
With Wilson’s future regarding football up in the air after this season, due to baseball and his eligibility to be drafted this upcoming spring, Wilson said he just wants to enjoy his time.
In preparation for the first game against the University of South Carolina on Sept/ 3, Wilson holds no grudge against the Gamecocks, even though he was knocked out of the opening game last year against South Carolina with a concussion. He says he is just treating this game like any other game, even though it’s the first football game of the 2009 season and will be broadcast on ESPN.
“The South Carolina game is just another game,” Wilson said. “They are a great team and it’s the opening game and it will be a great atmosphere. They are going to bring their best and we will bring our best.”