Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson has the potential to be a steal in this year’s NFL draft. After three years at North Carolina State, Wilson transferred to Wisconsin and put up some great numbers. He passed for over 3,000 yards in each of his last three seasons and was incredibly accurate in his senior year at Wisconsin. He completed 72.8 percent of his passes for 3,175 yards with 33 TDs and only 4 INTs.
He was a first-team All-Big Ten Selection, as well as a third-team All-American last season, and is projected to go in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft. Probably the only thing preventing him from going higher is his height. At 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds, he doesn’t have the stature that scouts like to see. But his accuracy has been compared to Drew Brees, who at 6-foot even has become one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
PPI: Could you talk about what you are doing at ESPN today?
RW: I am going around ESPN doing tons of interviews. It is great exposure for me and I am really enjoying the entire process. There are 9 days until the start of the draft, and I am really fired up to see who my future team will be.
PPI : What has your training routine been like as you are getting ready for the draft?
RW: I have been training down at IMG with Chris Weinke. Loren Seagrave has been my speed coach. It has been an unbelievable experience down there. I have had tremendous mental preparation and vision training. This not only has gotten me ready for the combine but for my NFL career and life in general. I really want to thank IMG for that experience.
PPI: What can you bring to the table for an NFL team?
RW: One of my strengths is my efficiency and my ability to make plays. I have been great on 3rd down and great in the red zone, which is always important. But more than anything, I pride myself on my leadership. A quarterback has to be a great leader. He has to be very consistent and have unbelievable attention to detail on a daily basis. He has to be a relentless competitor. I believe that is what I bring to the table.
PPI: What has been the most challenging part of this whole process?
RW: There hasn’t been anything too challenging. I respect the process. That is one thing you always have to do, respect the process, whether it is playing quarterback, going through the combines, pro days, and flying around from team to team. You have to keep a confidence but always remain humble and respect the process.
PPI: Is there a current NFL quarterback that you compare yourself to?
RW: The guy I watch a lot of film on is Drew Brees. The first thing I admire about him is his faith. We both believe in the same thing. I have read his book several times and really look up to him as a person. I also like the way he plays the game. He plays with a grace under pressure. He is very smooth in the pocket and delivers an accurate football. He obviously is not that tall either, but he is able to make every single throw. He just leads his team to victory.
By Josh Volpe
