Profile:


Kyle Wilson, CB

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 194 | College: Boise State

Many recruiters were surprised when Wilson, a blue-chip prospect, decided not to enroll at a major college on the East Coast to take the trek far West.

Fears the player might have had about not receiving national attention were quickly erased by his stellar performance vs. Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where he recorded 10 tackles while not allowing any receptions in the program-defining upset win.

Since arriving at Boise State and stepping into the starting lineup the second half of the 2006 season, Wilson locked down half the coverage field for the Broncos. The second-team All-American was a member of two undefeated teams and carried a string of 45 consecutive starts, the longest active streak among Boise State players.

Wilson was the leader of a 2009 Broncos secondary that ranked 21st nationally, allowing just 179.86 passing yards per game. The left cornerback has outstanding athleticism. His quick feet and smooth hips allow him to stick on receivers through routes, and his agility allows him to break on balls in a hurry.

Wilson's speed has made him a star in the return game as well, as his average of 12.59 yards per punt return ranks as the fourth-highest career mark in school history and is fifth among active NCAA career leaders. In 2008, he returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown vs. Fresno state, the fourth-longest punt return in school history, as well as a 79-yard touchdown return vs. Idaho, ranking as the fifth-longest.

Throughout his success on the gridiron, Wilson has been a model student in the class-room. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society. At Boise State, Wilson earned Academic All-Western Athletic Conference honors for four consecutive seasons.

At the 2010 Senior Bowl, Wilson made anyone that did not recognize him to take notice of his skills and walk away immediately impressed. The cornerback was one of the stars of practice all week, sticking to receivers like glue and challenging whomever he went up against. Midway through the week, Lions receivers coach Shawn Jefferson was quoted as saying "that's the guy that's been a pain in my (behind) so far."

At Piscataway High School, Wilson helped his team to three consecutive state champions and a 33-3 overall record while being named MVP of the New Jersey state championship games as a junior and senior. The three-year starter excelled as a wide receiver, earning first-team All-State, All-Area, All-County, All-Conference and All-Division honors as a senior.

Wilson hauled in 33 passes for 622 yards and eleven touchdowns and added 375 yards on 55 carries. As a cornerback, he snagged five interceptions for 111 yards and a touchdown and recovered one fumble for a touchdown. The speedster returned seventeen punts for 270 yards and two touchdowns (15.89-yard average). He excelled in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society.

Wilson was given a two star rating by Scout.com. He chose to sign with Boise State in February of 2005 over offers from Iowa and Rutgers. He spent the 2005 season playing for the scout team, retaining freshman eligibility.

In 50 games at Boise State, Wilson started the last 45 contests as cornerback, recording 160 tackles (126 solos) with two sacks for minus-12 yards, 10 stops for losses for minus-31 yards, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery … His 45 consecutive starts is the longest streak among active Boise State players … Defected 27 passes and intercepted 11 others for 139 yards in returns (12.6-yard average) and two touchdowns … His 11 interceptions ranks 11th in school history and ties for 13th-most among the NCAA's active career leaders … His 71-yard interception returned for a touchdown vs. Idaho in 2009 ties as the ninth-longest in school history … Also blocked one kick … Returned 63 punts for 793 yards (12.6-yard average) and three touchdowns … His 63 punt returns rank as the third-most in school history … His average of 12.59 yards per return rank as the fourth-highest career mark in school history and is fifth among active NCAA career leaders … His 14.24-yard average per return in 2008 is the fourth-highest single-season mark in school history … Returned 33 punts in 2008, tying as the ninth-most in Boise State annals for a season … His 136 punts return yards vs. Fresno State in 2008 ranks fourth on the Broncos game-record chart … Had a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Fresno State in 2008, the fourth-longest in school history … Had a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. Idaho in 2008, placing fifth on the BSU record list … Also returned two kickoffs for 32 yards (16.0-yard average), and carried once for minus-1 yard.

Ryan’s guy was still available and he kept chirping in Mike Tannenbaum’s ear, hoping to persuade his general manager to go ahead and get in the pick — immediately.

"Rex was breathing down my neck, ’Would you turn the card in already?’" Tannenbaum said. "So we had a little drama there."

But the Jets got their man, a player they felt helps address a need in their defensive backfield. With the 29th overall pick in the NFL draft, they selected Kyle Wilson, a homegrown New Jersey product by way of Boise State.

The Jets had Wilson rated high on their draft board, and Ryan was basically mumbling to himself as he saw a slew of teams ahead of the Jets pass on taking Wilson, who had a solid Senior Bowl week that had some scouts feeling he elevated himself into potentially a top-15 pick.

"We’re looking at that board, and I think I said, ’Hang in there, just hang in there. And that’s exactly what happened.’ "

"If we take a guy in the first round, he’s definitely going to play," Ryan added. "And Kyle is definitely going to play for us."

In fact, Wilson has essentially been handed the starting nickel back job and is expected to compete for the punt returner gig as well. The Jets just love the 5-10, 194-pounder’s versatility, and think he’s athletic and physical enough to fit right in to a secondary that includes Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and offseason acquisition Antonio Cromartie.

Wilson, who turns 23 next month, was actually on the phone with the Vikings about five minutes before the Jets plucked him off the board. By the time he got off with Ryan, he was floating somewhere in the clouds over his home in Piscataway, N.J., still trying to come to grips with the perfect scenario that had unfolded right before his very eyes.

"I feel right at home," said Wilson, who helped lead Piscataway High School to three state championships and a 33-3 overall record from 2002-04. "Personally, (it was) one of the best visits I had, one of the best connections I had was with the (Jets) staff. I couldn’t have dreamt it any better. It’s just pretty surreal right now."

A three-year starter who started 45 consecutive games at Boise State, Wilson stockpiled 11 interceptions, combined for 160 tackles, deflected 27 passes, and recorded two sacks and two forced fumbles in his four-year career. He also did his thing on special teams, averaging 12.6 yards on 63 punt returns.

Wilson showed off his physical attributes at his pro day, running a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash. He also displayed a 38-inch vertical and bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times. The Jets’ brass had seen more than enough from Wilson to convince them that he was their guy if he was still available when their turn to pick came.

"He’s an athletic corner that’s also a punt returner," Jets vice president of college scouting Joey Clinkscales said. "He’s physical, he’s a good tackler. So there were a lot of characteristics that he had that we coveted a lot. He’ll help in our sub packages and he’s a great kid."

Wilson immediately strengthens a secondary that was a bit thin behind Revis and Cromartie. Ryan just can’t get enough defensive backs, and now he has another one to help create some havoc in his aggressive schemes.

"As I’ve said many time before, Rex has always asked for depth at the corner position," Tannenbaum said. "So between trading for Antonio Cromartie and now adding for Kyle Wilson, we feel like we’ve done that. We still feel good about Dwight Lowery and we feel that with that set of four corners, that gives us a better chance to face the passing attacks that we have to face each year in the AFC. We’re excited about Kyle."





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