De’Jon Wilson is no longer waiting for an opportunity to make an impact on the Colorado defense.
The opportunity is there. The question is whether Wilson can take advantage of it.
“I feel as though this is the time right now for me to really step it up and really bring my A game to the field,” Wilson said. “It’s about helping my team any way I can my team.”
A redshirt junior, Wilson is one of several players on the CU football team that has an opportunity to make his mark this fall.
New defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt said last week that very few, if any, spots are locked up on the depth chart. Because of that, Leavitt’s not sure if the Buffs will spend most of their time in a 4-3 alignment or a 3-4.
Wilson is hoping for a lot of 3-4. Throughout his career, Wilson has played in a variety of spots, mostly along the defensive line, but feels he’s found a position that suits him well as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.
“I feel as though it should be a good thing for me,” said Wilson, who is from Washington, D.C. “I’m always excited about new things. I’m always eager to learn new things. I’m excited to play in this 3-4 defense and especially playing for coach Leavitt.
“I expect a lot of good things out of this 3-4 defense. I can really move around and really showcase my talent.”
As usual, though, Wilson has plenty of competition. Juniors Jaleel Awini, Jimmie Gilbert and Aaron Howard, sophomores Timothy Coleman and Derek McCartney and freshmen NJ Falo, Terran Hasselbach and Michael Mathewes are among those competing with Wilson for playing time at outside linebacker.
Leavitt said Wilson has to have a great fall camp to earn playing time, but that’s the case for anyone else in the running, too.
“There’s a number of guys that all have some good things, but it’s not like any number of guys have stood out are saying, ‘I’ve got to be the guy,'” Leavitt said.
Leavitt does like some of what Wilson brings to the table, though.
“He uses his hands well, he pass rushes pretty well, and he’ll play the run game tough,” Leavitt said. “He’s a fairly tough individual, and he’s done everything I’ve asked him to do.”
Wilson knows he’s got a lot of work to do to earn some time, but there’s no question when talking to him that the desire to play is strong. He’s played just 315 defensive snaps in his career, with 19 tackles to his credit.
In an effort to earn more time, the 6-foot-3 Wilson said he’s dropped 15 pounds, to 245 pounds. That’s made a difference, he said, as he adjusts to outside linebacker.
“I see a lot of difference in my speed, my pass rush moves and how I run to the ball,” he said.
When he’s not working out or focusing on school, Wilson said he spends countless hours watching film. There may not be any games on the schedule this time of year, but it’s certainly not an offseason to Wilson.
“There really isn’t any down time,” he said. “It’s always time to work, always time to get better.”
The hard work won’t stop as the season approaches and the Buffs enter fall camp in August. But, at this point, Wilson welcomes the chance to work hard for a spot.
“One thing I always say is, ‘Don’t cry about it; grind about it,’ ” he said.
Brian Howell: howellb@dailycamera.com, on Twitter: @BrianHowell33.
