2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Eddie Wilson, DT, Kansas
- Name: Eddie Wilson
- School: Kansas (Buffalo Transfer)
- Position: DT
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 315
- Instagram: eddiewilson11k
- Twitter: @ed2litt
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
Coming from the MAC many people did not think I could play big time football and I wanted to prove that I could play on a big stage to others and myself. I feel like I did that this past season with my play on the field.
Q: What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
I didn’t choose to play football, I like to say it choose me. In elementary school, my bus driver told my mom about the rec. football league in the area, and she signed me up. At the age of 5 I started playing even though the minimum age was 6 since I was big enough.
Q: What makes your journey to this point different/unique from others?
I didn’t qualify academically out of high school and had to go the prep school route and the difficulties and adversity I went through in my youth instilled values and the mindset to succeed that I have today. Everyone goes through their own difficulties but I think my unique life experiences made me who I am and push me to achieve my goal of playing in the NFL.
Q: Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?
I would say my mother because she’s the one that gets things done and makes sure we are all good as a family and I want to make sure she’s taken care of so she inspires me to keep going. I always remember the days when she would get up at 4 am to get me to school on time since we lived an hour away from my school and then go to work at 7 am and have to travel back to pick me up late at night after I was done with football and basketball practice.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
I’m physical, violent, aggressive, and nasty on the field. I like to think I bring that toughness and grit to the field. Off the field, many of my coaches, and even Coach LePoid have actually said I’m a teddy bear but once I get on the field it just switches.
Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?
I look at the offensive line’s first step, and where their eyes are to possibly lead me to where the play may be going. I really spend time studying the blocking scheme of the offensive line I am going against to see how to best attack it.
Q: How did your pro day go and how did you prepare/train for it?
Pro Day went well, Coach Steve from KU Strength had a conversation with me and told me to go out and have fun and soak in the moment the morning of it and I really took that mindset throughout the day and just enjoyed the once and a lifetime opportunity that it was. In terms of pro day prep, I was working to make ends meet till about 2 in the afternoons and then trained the rest of the day near KU.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I set out to stop the run and eat the double-team blocks and make plays. With the ultimate goal being to not be moved off the ball. I also come up big in big moments especially this year in the Arkansas and Duke games with key 4th and 1 stops.
Q: How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?
I try to seek things through myself and speak to God and try to better see things for what they are. Not panicking and taking things day by day.
Q: What is your favorite stunt or blitz and why?
I would say a Tex when the 3 tech shoots the B game for contain and the end wraps inside. Or an Exit when the 2I occupies the guard and wraps for contain and end ear holes the guard. Also, I like when the corner blitzes from the boundary and I can loop to the B gap.
Q: What should we know about Eddie Wilson the person?
I’m a good guy who wants to better myself and better my life and the people around me. I’m someone who constantly looks to improve in everything I do in football but also in life as a brother, son, etc.
Q: What weakness(es) do you have as a player and how are you addressing/improving on it?
I would say the way I’m built I naturally am more dominant as a run stopper. Something I focused on the last few offseason is improving my pass rush. I’ve spent a lot of time this offseason on it as well and will continue doing so over the spring/summer as I transition to the next level.
Q: How were you used differently in the Kansas defense compared to Buffalo?
It was the same coaching staff but I had a different defensive line coach so there were some similarities but some differences in technique. At Buffalo, I was taught to read my keys and react to the offensive line. At Kansas, it was more of a mindset to play free and just get off the ball and get after it and cause knockback.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?
I’m a hard worker and I’m going to give it my all. I just need my foot in the door and I’ll make it happen and show what I can offer to an organization through my abilities, work ethic, and effort.