By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — C.J. Wilson didn’t know exactly what to expect as a college football player.
The 6-4, 269-pound sophomore defensive end for the East Carolina Pirates found his way in a hurry. Wilson played in all 13 of ECU’s games last year, starting seven of them.
As a freshman, he led the team with four quarterback sacks while finishing with 29 tackles, including a career-high seven against Tulsa.
He only got better as the season progressed.
Wilson got so good that some college football media publications are projecting possible postseason honors for Wilson this year. However, the former standout at Northside High School won’t let that get to his head.
Wilson wants to work hard enough that he’ll be able to produce even bigger numbers this season.
In order to do that, Wilson said it will take everything he has to give.
Wilson is hoping that his hard work, along with that of his teammates, will lead the Pirates back to a bowl game. The Pirates, finishing 7-6 last year, fell to South Florida in the PapaJohns.com Bowl.
Bowl game
However, just getting to a bowl game won’t be enough for Wilson and his fellow Pirates.
ECU will start on the path toward a possible bowl game with the Sept. 1 season opener at Virginia Tech.
Opener Sept. 1 at Virginia Tech
There could be plenty of distractions along the way. The game will be played in front of a national audience, ESPN’s Game Day crew will be there and memorials will be held to honor those who were killed in the tragic shootings of April 16.
Besides preparing to play another full season of college football, Wilson also had to find time for schoolwork, along with whatever else may pop up. He was able to balance things well last year as he finished with a 3.5 GPA in the fall semester.
Wilson has made it work so far. He said he’s had some help.