David Wilson (RB) runs a 4.29 forty (1 Viewer)

[BigTex]

BLACKSBURG, Va. — No one on Virginia Tech’s football team runs the 40-yard dash faster than starting running back David Wilson. He was clocked at 4.29 seconds during the Hokies’ winter testing this year.But when Wilson needs a reality check, all he has to do is walk across the street from Lane Stadium to his other domain, the Johnson-Miller Track Complex.“If he tries to proclaim that he’s the fastest guy on my team,” Virginia Tech track and field Coach Charles Foster said with a laugh earlier this week, “I’ve got about two or three guys that can take him to the cleaners.”Foster would know, because even though Wilson is set to fill the void left by record-setting tailbacks Ryan Williams and Darren Evans this fall, this is now the second spring in a row in which he’s moonlighted as a track and field athlete for the Hokies. On Saturday, when the rest of his football teammates will take part in Virginia Tech’s spring game, Wilson will be in Cary, N.C., for the ACC outdoor track and field championships. He’s slated to compete in the triple jump, long jump and 4x100-meter relay. Wilson isn’t competing for the Hokies’ track team on a mere whim. Though he was rated by some recruiting services as the nation’s No. 4 running back recruit out of high school, Wilson told any prospective suitors he planned to be a two-sport athlete in college. As a high school senior at George Washington-Danville in Virginia, he finished first in the triple jump at the Nike Indoor Nationals, and in February he captured a bronze medal in the triple jump at the ACC indoor track and field championships, leaping more than 51 feet 9 inches.“I enjoyed track so much in high school and being a national champion in high school, I wanted to see how well I would compete with the guys on the next level, as well as football,” said Wilson, who will be a junior this fall. “That comes back to me loving competition. Just being out there competing, one-on-one basically. Track is a team sport in the end, but when you’re in your events, it’s on you to see what place you get and how fast you’re going and how far you can jump.”During his first two seasons at Virginia Tech, Wilson proved to be a dynamic playmaker in limited duty, and he is expected to see a heavy workload as the Hokies break in new quarterback Logan Thomas. Returning kicks and splitting carries with Williams and Evans last season, Wilson led Virginia Tech in all-purpose yards and scored a touchdown once every 14 times he touched the ball.He also made Virginia Tech’s dean’s list last semester and has the full support of Coach Frank Beamer when it comes to his endeavors outside of the football team. Wilson said he never considered giving up track this spring to focus on his increased responsibilities on the football field — both Williams and Evans are now NFL draft prospects — or to get acquainted with his new position coach, Shane Beamer. He has missed three football practices and three meetings so far this spring, and he’s able to attend only two or three track practices per week.“He could be among the very best if he was just sprinting and jumping and not playing football, because of his talent and his athletic drive,” said Foster, who previously coached football players C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford while at Clemson. “But I appreciate [that] Coach Beamer understands my talents and that I’m gonna send him back a faster athlete. I tell them: ‘I don’t teach you how to play football. I teach you how to play football better,’ through quickness and speed training.”Wilson and Shane Beamer both said the biggest benefit to Wilson being on the track team is the extra cardio workouts he goes through in the spring. Under NCAA rules, football teams are allowed to have only 15 formal practice sessions every spring. Last Wednesday, Wilson said he stepped on a scale and weighed 208 pounds and decided to lose the seven pounds that separated him from his playing weight. So he went to the track and began racing the fastest guys on the track team.“I beat them out the blocks,” Wilson said. “I can’t wait to put my pads on and see if it transfers.”The next day, when Virginia Tech held its second full scrimmage of the spring, Wilson wowed his coaches by scoring three touchdowns and gaining 76 yards on just eight carries. Frank Beamer wondered how it was possible that Wilson looked faster than ever.“We may need to send a couple more guys over there to track and let them come on back,” Beamer said. “I thought he was something there in the few plays he had.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/virginia-techs-david-wilson-toggles-between-track-and-football/2011/04/22/AFch9QRE_story.html At 5'11 208, I'm interested!

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Yeah, he ran a 4.29. So did Rashad Carmichael at Tech last year (they tied for team fastest). But at the combine Carmichael ran a 4.53.

You should throw out any 40 time that's not from the combine IMO. They're unreliable.

ETA: I like Wilson a lot, but not because I believe he runs a 4.29.

 

[eaglesfan7]

Is this guy available in the nfl draft or is he coming out next year?

 

[FUBAR]

Foster would know, because even though Wilson is set to fill the void left by record-setting tailbacks Ryan Williams and Darren Evans this fall, this is now the second spring in a row in which he’s moonlighted as a track and field athlete for the Hokies.

http://www.washingto...9QRE_story.htmlAt 5'11 208, I'm interested!

Worth keeping an eye on I suppose, but fast has never automatically meant great RB.

 

[BigTex]

Yeah, he ran a 4.29. So did Rashad Carmichael at Tech last year (they tied for team fastest). But at the combine Carmichael ran a 4.53.You should throw out any 40 time that's not from the combine IMO. They're unreliable.ETA: I like Wilson a lot, but not because I believe he runs a 4.29.

I'm gonna got out on a small limb and say any official college or high school track time is good enough for me and are just as reliable as the combine numbers. Hell, he can run a 4.39 and I'm still interested.

 

[Rylenol]

I love a good 40 time but I wouldn't put too much emphasis on that. Any player will tell you that a players "want to" matters more than what we runs. 4.29 is sexy though.

 

[BigTex]

Foster would know, because even though Wilson is set to fill the void left by record-setting tailbacks Ryan Williams and Darren Evans this fall, this is now the second spring in a row in which he’s moonlighted as a track and field athlete for the Hokies.

http://www.washingto...9QRE_story.htmlAt 5'11 208, I'm interested!

Worth keeping an eye on I suppose, but fast has never automatically meant great RB.

You're right and I never said that he would be great because he was fast but that he's interesting. After watching his YouTube videos I remember seeing him and thinking he had something special. The games I watched I was more interested in how Williams was responding to his recovery as he's is on my taxi squad.Wilson doesn't have the popular name as Richards, LaMichael James, or Knile Davis but this kid should not be overlooked.

After two years of being forced to share running back duties with Ryan Williams and Darren Evans, the time for Wilson’s true star turn as the featured back in Virginia Tech’s offense has finally arrived. And after a sophomore campaign that saw him average 5.5 yards per carry and score a touchdown of some kind — whether it was on a rush (five touchdowns), a reception (four) or a kick return (two) — about once every 14 times he touched the ball, even the people he’s taking over for think he’s due to eclipse them.

“He’s gonna have a breakout season,” said Williams as he watched the first spring practice last Wednesday following a workout with the Miami Dolphins. “A lot of guys got to see David last year, so they know what he’s capable of doing. I’m really expecting him to break my records.”

Good enough for me!http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/hokies-journal/post/virginia-tech-rb-david-wilsons-time-in-the-spotlight-has-arrived/2011/04/04/AF3vIucC_blog.html

 

[BigTex]

Is this guy available in the nfl draft or is he coming out next year?

Yea, he's a junior.

 

[eaglesfan7]

Tex,

you get my pm?

 

[BigTex]

I love a good 40 time but I wouldn't put too much emphasis on that. Any player will tell you that a players "want to" matters more than what we runs. 4.29 is sexy though.

He's great athlete with a damn good forty time.

 

[BigTex]

Tex, you get my pm?

No, but will check.

 

[moderated]

My only reservation about him is that he isn't very squat, otherwise he's the real deal. I'm surprised he doesn't get any respect in early mock drafts going on now.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

He's may not be squat, but he's insanely strong - IIRC he owns some of the leg-related weight lifting records for RBs at Tech.

I actually love the guy (and drafted him in all three leagues where I had a devy pick). I just don't believe he's going to run anything like a 4.29. Anything under 4.40 (using NFL Draft Scout's final number) and I'll be over the moon. 4.41-.4.44 or so and I'll still be optimistic.

The benefit of using combine times is that they come from a standard setting, standard conditions and a standard method of timing and it's possible to compare them across years.

 

[moderated]

He's may not be squat, but he's insanely strong - IIRC he owns some of the leg-related weight lifting records for RBs at Tech. I actually love the guy (and drafted him in all three leagues where I had a devy pick). I just don't believe he's going to run anything like a 4.29. Anything under 4.40 (using NFL Draft Scout's final number) and I'll be over the moon. 4.41-.4.44 or so and I'll still be optimistic. The benefit of using combine times is that they come from a standard setting, standard conditions and a standard method of timing and it's possible to compare them across years.

I also think he's a great player, I'm just puzzled he gets no respect by most of the amateur scouting websites.

 

[DansRams]

He's may not be squat, but he's insanely strong - IIRC he owns some of the leg-related weight lifting records for RBs at Tech. I actually love the guy (and drafted him in all three leagues where I had a devy pick). I just don't believe he's going to run anything like a 4.29. Anything under 4.40 (using NFL Draft Scout's final number) and I'll be over the moon. 4.41-.4.44 or so and I'll still be optimistic. The benefit of using combine times is that they come from a standard setting, standard conditions and a standard method of timing and it's possible to compare them across years.

I also think he's a great player, I'm just puzzled he gets no respect by most of the amateur scouting websites.

He will...just give them a couple more weeks

 

[BigTex]

He's may not be squat, but he's insanely strong - IIRC he owns some of the leg-related weight lifting records for RBs at Tech. I actually love the guy (and drafted him in all three leagues where I had a devy pick). I just don't believe he's going to run anything like a 4.29. Anything under 4.40 (using NFL Draft Scout's final number) and I'll be over the moon. 4.41-.4.44 or so and I'll still be optimistic. The benefit of using combine times is that they come from a standard setting, standard conditions and a standard method of timing and it's possible to compare them across years.

I also think he's a great player, I'm just puzzled he gets no respect by most of the amateur scouting websites.

He will...just give them a couple more weeks

Agreed, I don't know what's NOT to like about this kid.

 

[Reepicheep]

VT alum here, so take this with a grain of salt, but . . . in addition to speed, this kid has just incredible balance. Not sure I've ever seen anything quite like it. Seems like every game you see something like the first runs in these vids:

He just seems to keep his feet no matter what, you really have to clamp down on a body part or forget about it.

 

[madd futher]

He's already rostered in my league.

 

[Zigg]

How many players have ran a sub 4.3 coming out of VA Tech? It seems to be a rather common occurrence. I remember Vick, K.Jones and some WR I don't remember all timing under 4.3 at school. Know nothing about the player, but times out of VA Tech are worthless.

 

[moderated]

How many players have ran a sub 4.3 coming out of VA Tech? It seems to be a rather common occurrence. I remember Vick, K.Jones and some WR I don't remember all timing under 4.3 at school. Know nothing about the player, but times out of VA Tech are worthless.

Of course he won't run an official sub 4.3, but he is a top prospect and still isn't getting much respect from the amateur scouting community.He is in the running for the #2 rb prospect in the 2012 class.

 

[HAM]

 

[BigTex]

There are so many good backs I honostly dont knok how to rank him yet.

 

[J-Dawg]

Had the chance to watch him play for the first time this season this morning. I hadn't had him in any of my rankings because I haven't paid that close attention to him but his name was definitely among my "watch list" and he didn't disappoint. 23 carries for 148 yards. I'd say he's definitely in the mix for the #2 guy and is at the very least in the top 5.

 

[eric rymer]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=630564

 

[massraider]

Gosh, it's amazing how every year VTech has a player run under 4.3.

 

[cstu]

He's may not be squat, but he's insanely strong - IIRC he owns some of the leg-related weight lifting records for RBs at Tech.

I actually love the guy (and drafted him in all three leagues where I had a devy pick). I just don't believe he's going to run anything like a 4.29. Anything under 4.40 (using NFL Draft Scout's final number) and I'll be over the moon. 4.41-.4.44 or so and I'll still be optimistic.

The benefit of using combine times is that they come from a standard setting, standard conditions and a standard method of timing and it's possible to compare them across years.

I also think he's a great player, I'm just puzzled he gets no respect by most of the amateur scouting websites.

He will...just give them a couple more weeks

Agreed, I don't know what's NOT to like about this kid.

I know, he's even faster going backwards.

 

[cstu]

Gosh, it's amazing how every year VTech has a player run under 4.3.

I don't know where they get their stopwatch technology but it's the gold standard.

 

[Xue]

He should convert to Safety with his backpedal skills.

 

[SacramentoBob]

His best 100m time at VaTech this year appears to have been 11.01. That's moderately fast for a HS sprinter, but nothing more. That doesn't mean he's not running a 4.4 or better though.

 

[SacramentoBob]

He's may not be squat, but he's insanely strong - IIRC he owns some of the leg-related weight lifting records for RBs at Tech.

I actually love the guy (and drafted him in all three leagues where I had a devy pick). I just don't believe he's going to run anything like a 4.29. Anything under 4.40 (using NFL Draft Scout's final number) and I'll be over the moon. 4.41-.4.44 or so and I'll still be optimistic.

The benefit of using combine times is that they come from a standard setting, standard conditions and a standard method of timing and it's possible to compare them across years.

I also think he's a great player, I'm just puzzled he gets no respect by most of the amateur scouting websites.

He will...just give them a couple more weeks

Agreed, I don't know what's NOT to like about this kid.

I know, he's even faster going backwards.

One of my favorite plays of the night.

 

[cstu]

I consider him a poor man's Reggie Bush. If the team that drafts him has learned from how Bush and Sproles have been used then I think he could be a PPR beast.

 

[BigTex]

There was some Wilson bashing in this thread...do you guys still feel the same way?

 

[cstu]

There was some Wilson bashing in this thread...do you guys still feel the same way?

I still don't think he has good vision, but I moved him up to #2 RB prior to the draft based on his upside. Most of his runs are outside but when he does run inside he doesn't seem to look for lanes to make a cut and instead simply uses his speed and power to go straight up the middle. He does have some nice elusiveness in the open field but I still get that Reggie Bush feeling about him.

 

[FF Ninja]

Yeah, he ran a 4.29. So did Rashad Carmichael at Tech last year (they tied for team fastest). But at the combine Carmichael ran a 4.53.

You should throw out any 40 time that's not from the combine IMO. They're unreliable.

ETA: I like Wilson a lot, but not because I believe he runs a 4.29.

Who let this guy into the shark pool with his sound reason and logic? The Carmichael example is a great one and there are many more like that. I think Fleener's pro day 40 was much overhyped as well.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

There was some Wilson bashing in this thread...do you guys still feel the same way?

I still don't think he has good vision, but I moved him up to #2 RB prior to the draft based on his upside. Most of his runs are outside but when he does run inside he doesn't seem to look for lanes to make a cut and instead simply uses his speed and power to go straight up the middle. He does have some nice elusiveness in the open field but I still get that Reggie Bush feeling about him.

I agree with most of this post.The one thing he has on Reggie Bush is that Wilson can run with good power, keeps his feet moving on contact, and isn't afraid of contact.

 

[cstu]

There was some Wilson bashing in this thread...do you guys still feel the same way?

I still don't think he has good vision, but I moved him up to #2 RB prior to the draft based on his upside. Most of his runs are outside but when he does run inside he doesn't seem to look for lanes to make a cut and instead simply uses his speed and power to go straight up the middle. He does have some nice elusiveness in the open field but I still get that Reggie Bush feeling about him.

I agree with most of this post.The one thing he has on Reggie Bush is that Wilson can run with good power, keeps his feet moving on contact, and isn't afraid of contact.

I agree. I'm mainly referring to his style of play but he is stockier and can break tackles better than Bush. He went to a good situation IMO since Bradshaw's foot seems to be getting worse. Bradshaw had 1200 yards rushing two years ago so if Wilson does take over the starting job he should put up nice fantasy numbers.