By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Just like last year, the awards are starting to trickle in for C.J. Wilson.
The East Carolina senior defensive end was named Conference USA Defensive Most Valuable Player for the second-straight year by Sporting News Magazine.
“It means a lot to win the award,” Wilson said. “You work hard every day and to win an award is an honor. I give all my glory to the Lord, my coaches and my teammates.”
(Houston quarterback Case Keenum was Offensive MVP, SMU’s June Jones was Coach of the Year and UCF cornerback Josh Robinson was Freshman of the Year.)
The former Northside High School star, who was named first-team All C-USA by the leagues’ coaches and second-team by Phil Steele Magazine, put together a solid senior season. In helping lead the Pirates to the C-USA championship, Wilson recorded 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss (40 yards), 5.5 sacks (19 yards in loss), 13 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and one fumble recovery.
Wilson still has at least two college games to play. He will join his Pirates (9-4) in the Jan. 2 Liberty Bowl when they take on Arkansas.
It’s a repeat trip for Wilson and his teammates.
“Last year we went there and it was a great experience, but we lost the game (to Kentucky),” Wilson said. “My goal is to help my team win any way possible.”
Wilson will also played in the 85th East-West Shrine Game, which will be played Jan. 23 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
“It means a lot to represent the Pirates and the Pirate nation in playing among the nation’s best,” Wilson said. “I’m going to do my best and represent the Pirates and show the nation what we’re made of in Greenville, North Carolina.”
The 6-4, 280-pound Wilson has 27 sacks, 45.5 tackles-for-loss, 35 quarterback hurries, four blocked kicks and 191 tackles in his career. Wilson currently ranks among the NCAA active leaders in assisted tackles-for-loss (first), assisted sacks (t-5th), total tackles-for-loss (t-8th), total sacks (eighth), solo sacks (10th), sack yards (12th), tackles-for-loss yards (14th) and solo tackles-for-loss (t-17th).
The affable Wilson is glad he’s been able to do it at ECU.
“I thank God for my opportunity,” Wilson said. “It has been a great ride at ECU. I wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world.”