STARKVILLE — De’Runnya Wilson grew up watching Keyshawn Johnson,
Wilson, a junior wide receiver at Mississippi State, enjoyed watching Johnson as he hauled in passes for the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. While growing up, Wilson didn’t pay attention to how Johnson played the position, but as he looks back at highlights, he is taking notes. Mainly because Wilson wants to follow Johnson’s footsteps.
“I had a dream then playing in the NFL when I was growing up,” Wilson said. “Just having that idea of bigger guys at the receiver position, some of the things they did.”
Wilson is draft eligible once this season ends and he will put a lot thought into turning professional or returning for his senior year at MSU. Wilson’s focus right now is on the bowl game. The Bulldogs (8-4) play North Carolina State (7-5) 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 30 in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Wilson has given the National Football League some thought, but said he is trying to keep it out of his mind this month.
“I’m just focusing on the game right now,” Wilson said. “I want to get this win in Charlotte and go from there.”
Wilson said along with Johnson, he watches what Calvin Johnson does. The current Detroit Lion who played at Georgia Tech is one of the top receivers in the game. Calvin’s nine-year pro career has been quite successful as he has broken numerous NFL records and Lions’ records.
Wilson said he tries to emulate both Keyshawn and Calvin on and off the field. He said he has learned a lot from watching the two and has brought that into his game.
Wilson and Calvin both stand 6-foot-5, while Keyshawn is 6-foot-4. All three have similar games and that’s one of the reasons Wilson has taken notes when watching them.
Wilson has a lot of potential in the NFL, but his size is one of the biggest factors for NFL scouts.
“Bear’s big and strong, so the size is probably the No. 1 thing for him when you start looking at it,” MSU co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales said.
Gonzales has coached Wilson all three years he has been in the program and Gonzales has seen him grow as a wide receiver. Wilson, who played just one year of high school football, had 26 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman. He made 47 catches for 680 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Opposing defenses took notice of Wilson and they began to put a lot of attention on him, but Wilson found ways to make plays this season. He has made 55 catches for 822 yards and nine touchdowns.
He played basketball as a freshman, but decided to just focus on football. The Birmingham, Alabama, native won Mr. Basketball in the state of Alabama in 2013.
“It made me focus more on football,” Wilson said of giving up basketball. “It made me be more of a leader in football, work hard in weights and putting in the extra time when I’m not here like route running. I just want to be the best at the receiver position even I’m going against any defender one-on-one. I know things that I do outside of football will help.”
Wilson said he had an idea of some of the things he needed to work on this season: route running, separation and blocking. Wilson was one of the best blockers at wide receiver and he sprung fellow wide receiver Fred Ross and quarterback Dak Prescott for some big gains this season.
Wilson said he began to believe the NFL was a possibility with the way he played last year and this year and said there were a couple of plays that reassured his thought process.
He said he didn’t file paperwork with the NFL to receive a draft grade, but he is not going to pass on an opportunity to play at the next level.
“Any opportunity I receive, I’m going to take advantage of that,” Wilson said. “It has something to do with it being at the next level and not at the college level.”
But if Wilson comes back for his senior season, he will be happy with that. He said he will make the best decision for he and his family, but knows he will get an opportunity to play one day at the next level.
“The NFL stands for ‘not for long.’ It’s not going anywhere,” Wilson said.
n, Quarterback Dak Prescott was named a third team All-American by Phil Steele.
The Haughton, Louisiana, native was also a first team All-Southeastern Conference selection by the publication.
Wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson was a first team All-SEC selection, while wide receiver Fred Ross and kick returner Brandon Holloway were named to the second team. Linebacker Richie Brown was named to the third team.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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