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June 21, 2012

Football Athlete of the Year

By: Jimmy Robertson

David Wilson | Junior | Danville, Va.

Logan Thomas easily could have been the choice for the football athlete of the year, but it’s hard to ignore the accomplishments of David Wilson, who broke records on his way to being named the ACC’s Offensive and Overall Player of the Year.

Wilson set a Tech and ACC single-season record by rushing for 1,709 yards, eclipsing the 1,655 yards that Ryan Williams rushed for in 2009. He averaged nearly six yards per carry and averaged 122.07 yards rushing per game, a figure that ranked ninth nationally.

Wilson rushed for 100 yards or more in 10 games this past season, tying a Tech and ACC record held by Williams. He also rushed for nine touchdowns and scored 10.

Wilson became the third Tech player to be named the ACC’s Offensive and Overall Player of the Year, joining Bryan Randall (2004) and Tyrod Taylor (2010). In addition, he earned second-team All-America honors by The Associated Press and became the fourth Tech running back to earn All-America honors (Williams, Kevin Jones and Lee Suggs).

In late April, the New York Giants selected Wilson in the first round of the NFL Draft after Wilson decided to forgo his final year of eligibility. He became the ninth Tech player ever to be selected in the first round.