Undrafted rookie Wilson hoping to catch on with hometown team
PHILADELPHIA » A swirling wind was playing the punt returners, instead of the other way around, with one exception Friday.
Eagles rookie hopeful Tim Wilson shifted into gear while plucking balls out of the air, just as he’d done at East Stroudsburg University and long before that, Radnor High School.
Wilson (5-9, 170) was a man for all seasons at Radnor, collecting more than 2,000 all-purpose yards with the football team, clocking a 10.9 in the 100 meters in track and playing the point for the basketball team.
At East Stroudsburg, Wilson caught 133 balls for 2,042 yards (15.4 average) and 16 touchdowns to rank 11th in receptions and 13th in yards in the all-time school album.
The Eagles found Wilson at a pro day at Temple, where a coach told him he clocked 4.42 in the 40-yard dash. There also were 17 bench presses at 225 pounds and ultimately, a conversation.
“It was about a month ago,” Wilson said. “They gave me a call after that and I got the invite. I want to show them my speed and my versatility. I play special teams, kick return, punt return. I’ll be on kickoff and kick return. I just want to fight for a spot.”
Wilson is among 23 rookie tryout candidates and 15 undrafted free agents trying to catch the eyes of Eagles coaches long enough to be invited to the upcoming offseason camps.
All five of the team’s 2018 draft picks, from tight end Dallas Goedert to Jordan Maliata, the 6-8, 346-pound rugby import from Australia, have the inside track. Goedert showed strikingly good hands during practice and after it with the Jugs machines. Maliata, in his first real football practice, proved that he could bend his knees and take direction.
But rookie camps are about answering challenges, much like undrafted running back Corey Clement did last year. His season culminated with a huge touchdown catch in Super Bowl LII.
Wilson followed the story of Clement, who grew up in Glassboro, N.J., fought for a job and wound up as a Super Bowl champion.
Wilson grew up in Philly, moved to Wayne and at Radnor developed some pretty good relationships with his coaches, including a track mentor by the name of Chris Sydnor.
“He played for Penn State and played for the Raiders,” Wilson said. “So, I had a lot of good knowledge. I had someone to look up to. So, he really guided me through track. He told me track would help me with football. And if football didn’t work out I could do track. But I love football. My goal now is to get invited back for camp and OTA’s and make the roster. That’s my goal right now.” Sydnor led the 1984 Nittany Lions with five interceptions, then was selected by the Raiders in the ninth round of the 1985 draft. The first pick that year was Bruce Smith. The Eagles’ first pick was Kevin Allen, who wound up in prison. Sydnor didn’t play pro ball, though.
Wilson has a lot of ground to make up. But he has a big first step, which he suspects translates from his days playing point guard. His hands are strong and sure. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes to belong.
Wilson spent more time than just about all the receivers at the Jugs machines after practice.
“It went very well,” Wilson said of the first day. “I’m just soaking it all up, learning a lot of new plays, learning the playbook. I always was a diehard Eagles fan so this is a dream come true. I’m just blessed and humbled about the whole opportunity.”
Wilson was a fan of Donovan McNabb, who in 2004 teamed up with Pro Football Hall of Fame in waiting wide receiver Terrell Owens to lead the Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX. That didn’t end well, the Eagles surrendering the decision to the New England Patriots.
“It was a heartbreaker,” Wilson said. “But we got them this year.”