[align=center]C.J. Wilson | Defensive End | East Carolina | 6'3" - 290 lbs. [/align]
OVERVIEW
The unquestioned leader of the Pirates squad, Wilson is a personable and passionate student-athlete who, as a battle- tested veteran, has firmly secured a reputation as one of the top defensive ends and pass rushers in Conference USA. Possessing excellent quickness, strength, athleticism and attention to fundamentals, Wilson has earned his standing as the unit's sack leader.
Wilson is a music aficionado and an accomplished piano player. He is also an academic success story, as he displayed dedication and exceptional work ethic in the classroom that earned him selection to the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 East Carolina Athletic Director's Honor Roll as a communications major.
Wilson also comes from a sports-oriented family. Two of his older brothers played Division I football. Everett competed at North Carolina A&T and Amos was a member of the New Mexico State squad. Two other brothers are playing at the junior college level, one in football and the other in basketball.
Cited by position coach Vernon Hargreaves as the unit's recipient of the "distinction of attitude, effort and leadership" award the last three seasons, Wilson ranks with the elite at his position among active defensive linemen, including sacks (27.0), sack lost yardage (164), tackles for loss (45.5), and lost yardage via stops behind the line of scrimmage (213).
At Northside High School, Wilson was a two-time Washington Daily News All-Area choice, playing a key role in the Panthers' 13-3 record and a berth in the Eastern Championship contest during his senior year. The team captain also earned All-Conference honors that season. In addition to football, he earned letters in basketball and track.
Wilson originally signed with East Carolina in February, 2005, but officially joined the Pirate football program after the spring semester (2006) after completing NCAA eligibility requirements. He became an instant success as a true freshman, earning his way into the starting lineup for seven games in 2006. He began a string of four consecutive seasons as the team's sack leader, dropping four quarterbacks among his 29 tackles (17 solos), six stops for loss and four pressures.
As a sophomore, Wilson came off the bench for the first four games before securing the starting job at left defensive end for the final nine contests. He posted 36 tackles along with seven sacks. He also produced 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, along with 12 pressures while blocking two kicks.
The 2008 season garnered Wilson national attention. He was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and was also selected the league's MVP. He recorded 70 tackles (35 solos) in 14 starting assignments, ranking second in the conference with 10.5 sacks and third with 18.5 stops for loss, guiding a unit that led Conference USA in scoring defense (21.07 ppg) and total defense (333.00 ypg).
Wilson was again named first-team All-Conference USA as a senior. He started all 14 games, posting 57 tackles (23 solos) that included 5.5 sacks, 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and fourteen QB pressures. He also blocked the fourth kick for his career and caused a pair of fumbles.
CAREER NOTES
Wilson started 44 of 54 games at East Carolina, holding the second-longest starting string among active ECU players with 37 consecutive starts (Jay Ross had 38)...Recorded 192 tackles (92 solos) with 27.0 sacks for minus 164 yards, 45.5 stops for losses totaling 213 yards and 35 quarterback pressures...Since ECU joined Conference USA, only Chris Moore (61.0, 2003-05) has had more tackles for loss than Wilson's 45.5...Wilson's 27.0 sacks tied Antwan Peek of Cincinnati (1997-98) for eighth on the Conference USA career-record chart...Only Roderick Coleman (28.0, 1997-98) had more sacks by a Pirates player since ECU joined Conference USA...Also blocked four kicks, scored a defensive touchdown, deflected two passes, caused four fumbles and recovered another.
2009 SEASON
Named first-team All-Conference USA by the league's coaches...Started all 14 games at left defensive end, leading the team for the fourth consecutive year with 5.5 sacks for minus 29 yards...Recorded 57 tackles (23 solos) with 14 quarterback pressures and ranked fourth on the squad with 10.5 stops for losses of 40 yards...Had one pass deflection and blocked an extra point try vs. Southern Mississippi...Also caused two fumbles and recovered another...Led a defensive unit that ranked second in the league and 27th in the nation vs. the run, allowing just 120.29 yards per game, as ECU held Central Florida (70), Southern Methodist (28), Rice (78), Memphis (84), Tulsa (30), Houston (30) and Arkansas (81) all to under 100 yards on the ground in their encounters.
2008 SEASON
All-Conference USA first-team selection, earning league Most Valuable Player honors from The Sporting News and Defensive Player of the Year recognition from ESPN...Started all 14 games at left defensive end, ranking second in the conference while leading the Pirates for the third-straight year with a career-best 10.5 sacks for minus 61 yards...Also led the team while placing third in the conference with 18.5 stops for losses of 84 yards... Registered five quarterback pressures, as he caused a fumble and deflected a pass... Blocked a FG attempt vs. Tulane...Part of a unit that led C-USA in total defense (333.0 ypg) and scoring defense (21.07 ppg).
2007 SEASON
Played behind Marcus Hands at left defensive end for the first four games before moving into the starting lineup for the final nine contests...Recorded 36 tackles (17 solos) with seven sacks for minus 49 yards, twelve pressures and 10.5 stops for losses of 59 yards, leading the Pirates in all three categories...His seven sacks ranked fifth in Conference USA...Caused a fumble and blocked two kicks - a field goal try vs. Houston and an extra point attempt Texas-El Paso...Recorded a 7-yard sack that killed a last-ditch Boise State possession, preserving a 41-38 East Carolina victory in the Hawaii Bowl.
2006 SEASON
Wilson played in all 13 games, starting vs. Virginia, Tulsa, Southern Methodist, Southern Mississippi, Central Florida, Marshall and Rice...Recorded at least one sack in five of last eight games, leading the team with four sacks for minus 30 yards...Third on the squad with six stops for losses of 30 yards, adding four pressures and 29 tackles (17 solos).
2005 SEASON
Enrolled at ECU in the fall, but officially joined the Pirate football program after the spring semester (2006)...Officially signed with Skip Holtz's program in February, 2005.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.88 in the 40-yard dash...1.65 10-yard dash...2.83 20-yard dash...4.78 20-yard shuttle...7.57 three-cone drill...33-inch vertical jump...9'8" broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 32 times...33 1/8-inch arm length...10-inch hands.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Northside (Belhaven, N.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Bing Mitchell...Two-time Washington Daily News All-Area choice, playing a key role in the Panthers' program which rolled to a 13-3 record and advanced to the Eastern Champion-ship contest during his senior year...The team captain also earned All-Conference honors that season...Also lettered in basketball and track.
PERSONAL
Communications major, as he earned him selection to the 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 East Carolina Athletic Director's Honor Roll...A music aficionado and an accomplished piano player...Comes from a sports-oriented family. Two of his older brothers played Division I football. Everett competed at North Carolina A&T and Amos was a member of the New Mexico State squad. Two other brothers are playing at the junior college level, one in football and the other in basketball...Born Clifford James Wilson in Belhaven, North Carolina.