Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/470008
GOLD & BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 4 38 ing process you have to have goals in what you want out of a program. I had three main goals: To have a chance to play in the NFL; to have a good ac- ademic career, graduate with at least four years under me; and to be a better person. And at Purdue I saw a coach- ing staff that would help me achieve all of those goals." But the whole recruitment, from being committed to Bowling Green since July (before flipping to Purdue in January), then only getting big- time offers in the last month before signing day, has left Wilson feeling a bit underrated. He has good reason. At West Bloomfield, in a northwest suburb of Detroit, Wilson had stellar statistics with 12 sacks among his 53 tackles as a senior. Rivals rated him a three-star prospect and as the No. 18 player in the talent-rich state. Yet, until Purdue came along, he had only MAC-level offers, but he says he can use the slight for motivation now. "I just want to be the best," Wilson said. "It motivates me in everything that I do. I'm very competitive. In ev- erything I do, I'm competitive. But I've been underrated, have had that underdog role. I kind of like that, be- cause people don't know what to ex- pect from me. I use it to motivate me in the weight room, in the classroom and on the field." Bellamy, a wide receiver at Michi- gan in the early 2000s, theorizes that because Wilson played out of position for the Lakers, at defensive end, it kept some programs from seeing his full potential. "Most D-ends in high school ar- en't 6-4, 270," Bellamy said. "And I think a lot of teams were like 'Well, is he a three-technique tackle? Is he a D-end?' Quite frankly, he can play both. He is athletic enough and fast enough to get after the quarterback and strong enough and big enough to play the run." Purdue fashions Wilson as an inte- rior lineman, seeing him as physical- ly able to put on the 20 to 30 pounds needed to hold the point in the middle of the line of scrimmage. And if he keeps his athleticism, then he could continue to be disruptive in the back- field, as well. "He'll be 300 pounds in no time," Purdue defensive line coach Rubin Carter said on signing day. "Very ag- gressive, very strong. He's a gym rat, loves the weight room." Wilson says he's passionate about whatever interests him. That includes the state-recognized band — he plays the piano — and choral programs at West Bloomfield, and football, too. "(He's) the No. 1 competitor I've been around since I've been the head coach here," Bellamy said. "That kid competes his butt off. What matches his level of competi- tiveness is his work ethic. I've told Coach Hazell, (Purdue's) getting a kid who loves to train and will do what it takes to be ready physical- ly. He understands the importance of working out and how it can pre- pare you for the upcoming season. Purdue is just getting a kid who is extremely competitive." j "Music is kind of a calm thing that I do. I'm a calm guy, but people say I look evil on the field." Defensive tackle Eddy Wilson