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By The Numbers (per nfldraftscout.com):
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 230 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.53 Seconds
- 225 pound bench reps: 25
- Vertical Jump: 39.5”
- Broad Jump: 10’1”
- 3-Cone Drill: 3.96 Seconds
CBS Sports Position Rank: 20th OLB
Projected Draft Position: 6th to 7th Round
Eric Wilson was one of the most consistent players on a Cincinnati Bearcats team that had a very poor 2016 season. The redshirt senior played with instinct and aggression on the field, which is why he was one of the best Bearcats to lace up the cleats this past fall. Wilson certainly has the physical attributes to play in the NFL, even if he is a bit undersized, and the common belief is that he will be drafted in the later rounds if not picked up after the draft as a free agent.
Wilson is the type of player who you can find just about anywhere on the field at any time. He posted an American Athletic Conference best 129 tackles during his senior campaign and 7.5 of those were tackles for loss. That came on the heels of a 106-tackle campaign as a junior. His outstanding play earned him the Claude Rust Sr. Most Valuable Player award, which is given by the coaches to the player they find most valuable to the team's success. To add to his awards, Wilson was also voted an All-American Athletic Conference defender
Wilson, who transferred to UC from Northwestern and is a converted safety, is definitely a player who can have a positive impact on any team that drafts him. The Houston Texans are a team that is giving him a look, but he is still being largely overlooked as the NFL Draft approaches. Despite that, I think Wilson's play on the field will earn him a spot on an NFL roster come next fall.