By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff
Wilson has worked his way into playing time
When Alabama A&M was on the verge of opening the season against Tennessee State a year ago, Byron Wilson was getting ready to go under the knife. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during preseason practice and underwent season-ending surgery the week of the game.
Fast forward to this season.
Fully recovered and barring injury over the next few days, Wilson will be in uniform when A&M visits Tennessee State in the season opener for both teams Saturday night in Nashville. Kickoff is 6.
"I can't wait," said Wilson, who hasn't played in a college football game since the 2005 season when he was a middle linebacker at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. "It's my first game ... in the Tennessee Titans stadium. It's going to be exciting."
Wilson, who will back up All-Southwestern Athletic Conference left defensive end Chris Traylor, is one of more than a dozen newcomers that will counted on this season.
Six of those newcomers will be on A&M's defense, which has annually been among the nation's best. In fact, that's what led Wilson here.
"Every time I heard about the school, it was always about the defense," said Wilson, who is 6-foot-3 and weighs 248 pounds. "It seems they're always ranked nationally in a number of categories and I want to help uphold those standards."
He appears to be more than capable.
After coming here, Wilson was moved to defensive end. After working there last spring and throughout preseason practice, he believes he's ready.
"I've really settled into the position," said Wilson, who worked out this summer back home in Warren, Ohio, with NFL trainer Nick Sanders and really changed his body. "I've got a little more experience and I'm used to getting down in a three-point stance and coming off the ball."
Defensive line coach Ben Blacknall has been pleased with Wilson's progress.
"Byron has gotten better," he said. "He's made the adjustment from linebacker and has been solid in camp. We believe he'll make some plays for us."
As many as nine newcomers will be counted on on offense. Three of them - linemen Russell Jackson and Xavier Manuel and wide receiver Nate Baxter - will be in the starting lineup.
"We've got new guys all over the place on offense," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We're confident with what we've been doing with those guys, but we'll have to wait and see what happens when the lights come on."
Wilson has worked his way into playing time
When Alabama A&M was on the verge of opening the season against Tennessee State a year ago, Byron Wilson was getting ready to go under the knife. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during preseason practice and underwent season-ending surgery the week of the game.
Fast forward to this season.
Fully recovered and barring injury over the next few days, Wilson will be in uniform when A&M visits Tennessee State in the season opener for both teams Saturday night in Nashville. Kickoff is 6.
"I can't wait," said Wilson, who hasn't played in a college football game since the 2005 season when he was a middle linebacker at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. "It's my first game ... in the Tennessee Titans stadium. It's going to be exciting."
Wilson, who will back up All-Southwestern Athletic Conference left defensive end Chris Traylor, is one of more than a dozen newcomers that will counted on this season.
Six of those newcomers will be on A&M's defense, which has annually been among the nation's best. In fact, that's what led Wilson here.
"Every time I heard about the school, it was always about the defense," said Wilson, who is 6-foot-3 and weighs 248 pounds. "It seems they're always ranked nationally in a number of categories and I want to help uphold those standards."
He appears to be more than capable.
After coming here, Wilson was moved to defensive end. After working there last spring and throughout preseason practice, he believes he's ready.
"I've really settled into the position," said Wilson, who worked out this summer back home in Warren, Ohio, with NFL trainer Nick Sanders and really changed his body. "I've got a little more experience and I'm used to getting down in a three-point stance and coming off the ball."
Defensive line coach Ben Blacknall has been pleased with Wilson's progress.
"Byron has gotten better," he said. "He's made the adjustment from linebacker and has been solid in camp. We believe he'll make some plays for us."
As many as nine newcomers will be counted on on offense. Three of them - linemen Russell Jackson and Xavier Manuel and wide receiver Nate Baxter - will be in the starting lineup.
"We've got new guys all over the place on offense," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We're confident with what we've been doing with those guys, but we'll have to wait and see what happens when the lights come on."
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