C. J. Wilson (defensive end)

For other people of the same name, see C. J. Wilson (disambiguation).
C. J. Wilson

refer to caption

Wilson with the Green Bay Packers in 2011
Free agent
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Date of birth: (1987-03-30) March 30, 1987
Place of birth: Belhaven, North Carolina
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 290 lb (132 kg)
Career information
High school: Pinetown (NC) Northside
College: East Carolina
NFL draft: 2010 / Round: 7 / Pick: 230
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 7, 2015
Total tackles: 102
Sacks: 5.5
Forced fumbles: 0
Fumble recoveries: 1
Pass deflections: 1
Player stats at NFL.com

Clifford James Wilson (born March 30, 1987) is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He played college football at East Carolina, and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He also played for the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions.

Early years

Wilson was born in Belhaven, North Carolina and attended Northside High School in Pinetown, North Carolina.[1] He played numerous positions during his early career including linebacker, cornerback, safety, running back, tackle, and fullback.[2] He played a major role in the Northside Panthers 13–3 record and advancement into the Eastern Championship.[1] Additionally, he earned all-conference honors during his senior year and was also a team captain.[1] He also lettered in basketball and track.[1]

Wilson was ranked as a two star by Scout.com and was measured at six foot four inches and he weighed 218 pounds. He received only one scholarship offer from East Carolina University.[3]

College career

Wilson chose to play for East Carolina, but after completing his eligibility requirements he was forced to join in the spring of 2005.[1] As a true freshman in 2006, Wilson recorded at least one sack in five of eight games.[2] The first sack of his college career came against Tulsa on October 14.[4] Additionally, he recorded a season high seven tackles in the same game.[2] At the end of the season, Wilson lead the team with four quarterback sacks.[5]

In 2007, Wilson was projected to be a reserve defensive linemen who was still going to find a way be on the field.[5] This proved to be the case, as Wilson took the starting job from Marcus Hand's after four games and played in the remainder of the games that season.[1] He had the statistically best game of his career at ECU against the Houston Cougars with nine stops, two and a half sacks, and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Additionally, he also blocked a kick.[6] At the end of the season, Wilson earned all-Conference USA (second-team) honors as a selection by the league coaches.[7]

During his junior year, Wilson started all 14 games and extended his streak of starts to 23.[1] He had at least one sack in nine games of fifteen.[1] During a game against Tulane, he had a season high eight tackles.[1] Wilson finished the season ranked 27th in the nation and second in the Conference-USA in sacks.[1] Additionally, Wilson also ranked first in the Conference-USA for tackles for a loss. He was named defensive conference player of the year by ESPN and Sporting news, and also earned a first team Conference-USA spot on Phil Steele's All Americans.[8]

In his final year as a Pirate, Wilson again started all 14 games of the season and finished up his career with 37 straight starts.[9] He finished the season with 57 tackles (23 solo), 101⁄2 for a loss, and 51⁄2 sacks.[9] His performance again earned him Conference-USA defensive player of the year.[9] He was also named to the Ted Hendricks, 40th Annual Rotary Lombardi, and Bronko Nagurski award watch lists.[9] Wilson graduated college in 2010 with a degree in Communication.

Professional career

C. J. Wilson, Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews on December 25, 2011.

Pre-draft

Wilson had 32 reps during the bench press drills during the combine.[10] Scouts raved that he was an "instinctive" players who had good rushing skills and speed when rushing the passer.[10] Scouts also expressed concerns with his average lateral agility.[10] and noted that he didn't appear comfortable playing in space.[10] He was believed to be a good match to add depth as a 3–4 defensive end.[10]

Green Bay Packers

Wilson was drafted in the seventh round (230th overall) by the Green Bay Packers.[11] He became the first player ever drafted out of East Carolina University by the Green Bay Packers.[2]

Oakland Raiders

On March 28, 2014, Wilson signed a one-year, $795,000 contract with the Oakland Raiders.[12] On November 7, 2015 he was waived by the Raiders.

Detroit Lions

After going unclaimed on waivers, on November 9, 2015 he signed a one year, $745,000 contract with the Detroit Lions. During the 2015 season, Wilson played in the last eight games of the season and recorded eight tackles and a sack. He was released by the Lions on February 19, 2016.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Player Bio: C.J. Wilson". Easy Carolina University. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Green Bay Packers: C.J. Wilson". C.J. Wilson. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  3. ↑ "C.J. Wilson - Rivals.com". Yahoo. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Tulsa at East Carolina". Sportsreference.com. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  5. 1 2 Cirminiello, Richard (Jun 13, 2007). "2007 East Carolina Preview-Defense". Collegefootballnews.com. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  6. ↑ "East Carolina 37, Houston 35". Associated Press (Houston). September 29, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  7. ↑ "SMU football’s Morstead named first-team All-Conference USA". Pegasus News. December 5, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Holtz named C-USA coach of the year". Sporting News (Greenville). December 15, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Green Bay Packers: C.J. Wilson". Green Bay Packers. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "NFL Events: C.J. Wilson". National Football League. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Wilson Drafted In Seventh Round By Packers". East Carolina University. April 24, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  12. ↑ Raiders Sign C.J. Wilson
  13. ↑ Twentyman, Tim (February 19, 2016). "Lions release DT C.J. Wilson". Detroit Lions. Retrieved February 19, 2016.

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