After injury, safety has ‘lot more to prove’
Wilson focusing on leadership role to guide young defense
COLLEGE STATION — Donovan Wilson, eager to be a senior leader on a Texas A&M defense with plenty to prove, prayed the sharp pain in his foot was momentary. A few steps here and there on the sideline of the Rose Bowl, the safety hoped, and the intense throbbing would subside.
“I really didn’t think it was anything serious until I went to the sideline,” Wilson said of the pivotal moment in his college career last Labor Day weekend. “I thought it was just a little nick and I was going to be able to come back for the next game.”
It turns out it was a critical case of wishful thinking for the hard-hitting defensive back with a reputation for toughness. A day later doctors inserted a screw into his fractured foot, and he was done for the season.
“I had such high expectations,” Wilson said of what was supposed to be his senior season.
‘I wasn’t finished yet’
The repercussions of his second-quarter exit at UCLA in the 2017 season opener were wideranging. The Aggies held a big lead at the time, but with the roaming, veteran safety out, Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen began eating the defense alive in the middle of the field, particularly employing the tight end against the Aggies’ youth in the secondary.
On the other side of the ball, A&M starting quarterback Nick Starkel suffered his own foot injury, and UCLA wiped out a 34point deficit in the second half to prevail 45-44. It was the secondlargest comeback in college football history, finishing behind only Michigan State’s 35-point comeback against Northwestern in 2006.
“It was tough sitting out, watching my teammates play and not being able to be a part of it,” Wilson said.
The collapse in California signaled the beginning of the end of the six-season Kevin Sumlin era, and he was fired following a 7-5 regular season. Despite the injury, Wilson could have put his name in for the NFL draft as one of the Aggies’ top prospects, but instead he petitioned the NCAA for a medical redshirt, which he received.
“I felt like I had more work to do,” Wilson said. “I wasn’t finished yet. I didn’t get to play my senior year, and I had lot more to prove.”
Wilson already had proven plenty at A&M over his first few seasons, in leading the defense with five interceptions as a sophomore in 2015. He combined for 122 tackles over his sophomore and junior seasons, and now he’ll get another shot at a senior year under a new coaching staff.
“I’m just trusting the plan,” he said of playing a final season for coach Jimbo Fisher and defensive coordinator Mike Elko. “I feel like everything happens for a reason.”
Wilson mentioned “attention to detail” as the new staff’s strength on multiple occasions following a camp practice late last week. He’s also sharing details harvested from years of experience with the youngsters surrounding him in the locker room and on the field.
“I’m the ‘old head’ in the room now,” Wilson said. “The younger players look up to me, and it’s fun to be able to give advice and be the older guy.”
His primary wisdom imparted?
“Stay on your toes,” Wilson said. “And be where you’re supposed to be.”
The group he’s preaching to includes sophomore cornerbacks Debione Renfro, Travon Fuller and Clifford Chattman, and sophomore safeties Derrick Tucker and Keldrick Carper, among others.
Growing into his role
A&M offensive lineman Erik McCoy has observed Wilson’s leadership on the practice fields and beyond, and figures a unit that last season finished 78th nationally in total defense, allowing 409 yards per game, could use it.
“He has tons of experience, and I feel like this year he’s going to show out,” McCoy said. “He’s the old guy, and he’s leading guys like I’ve never seen him lead before. It’s interesting to see, because that’s not the guy I pictured him as a couple of years ago.”
The Aggies continue camp on Sunday and open their first season under Fisher on Aug. 30 against Northwestern (La.) State at Kyle Field.
brent.zwerneman@chron.com twitter.com/brentzwerneman