By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Even after a grueling workout on a hot, sunny afternoon, C.J. Wilson walked away from the Cliff Moore Practice Facility with a smile on his face.
Wilson, a defensive end with the East Carolina Pirates, has plenty to smile about these days. He led the team in sacks and helped the Pirates beat Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl last year.
Wilson is hoping for more smiles and more success this season.
Wilson knows it’s going to be hard work as the Pirates have one of the toughest schedules in the country, including the Aug. 30 season-opener against Virginia Tech. No stranger to hard work, Wilson has been joining several of his teammates for summer workouts.
Wilson, currently listed 18th among 193 defensive ends and a projected sixth-round draft pick (among the 2010 senior class) by nfldraftscouts.com, said he’s looking to be in tip-top shape when training camp opens Aug. 1.
Wilson, named to the Conference USA Second-Team last year, has enjoyed being around his teammates.
Wilson and his teammates have endured a long summer of training. But after working out in shorts all summer, is Wilson ready to put on the pads and start doing some hitting?
Wilson currently measures 6-4, 275 pounds. He played between 265 and 270 pounds last year.
A 2006 graduate of Northside High School, Wilson finished his sophomore season with seven sacks and 36 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He’d like to add to those totals this year.
Wilson knows that after ECU’s bowl win last year, nobody will be looking past the Pirates. That’s just fine with the him.
The Pirates open the season Aug. 30 against the Hokies. The game, which will kick off at noon, will be played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte — home of the Carolina Panthers.