Michigan’s Roman Wilson was part of some very successful teams. A key member of the Michigan Wolverines’ passing attack, let’s take a look at the wide receiver’s past and how Wilson became a player worthy of playing at the NFL level.
Where Did Roman Wilson’s Football Career Start?
Wilson went to high school at Saint Louis School. You might think this school was in Missouri, but it was actually in Honolulu, Hawaii.
While Wilson was at Saint Louis, his team rattled off 38 consecutive victories and won four straight state championships. That was due, in no small part, to Wilson’s contributions.
A four-star recruit, Wilson received offers from 13 Division I programs. After committing to Michigan in July 2019, Wilson’s college football career commenced in the 2020 season.
Revisiting Wilson’s College Career
As you may recall, the 2020 season was quite unique in the complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Wilson played in six games, which amounted to the entirety of the season. In limited action, he caught nine passes for 122 yards and one touchdown.
Wilson’s playing time increased during his sophomore year. He appeared in all 13 games, registering 25 receptions for 420 yards and three touchdowns.
In Wilson’s junior year, he still didn’t fully break out. In 12 games, he hauled in 25 receptions for 376 yards and four touchdowns. It’s worth noting he handled two carries over the course of the entire season, scoring on both — further speaking to the dynamic player Wilson is.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson could see his name called sooner than expected. He’s a sure-handed WR with under 4.4 speed who can line up anywhere while posting a 20% target share in 2023. pic.twitter.com/d32VU8KsCk
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) April 21, 2024
Wilson’s true breakout came as a senior. He was the leading receiver on an undefeated Wolverines squad, grabbing 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Playing alongside future first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, Michigan completed their perfect season with a national title. Wilson played an integral role in Michigan’s success, scoring the game-tying touchdown against Alabama that forced the Rose Bowl into overtime.
Following his four years at Michigan, Wilson declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Wilson’s Potential in the NFL
A projected Day 3 pick with Day 2 hopes, Wilson has the athleticism to succeed at the next level. But he’s not quite where he needs to be as a pure receiver, as Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings explains.
“At 6’0″, 192 pounds, Wilson has hyper-elite explosiveness, angle-destroying long speed, hyperactive short-area agility, and twitch to go along with smooth flexibility and sink as a route runner.
“Purely looking at his instant acceleration and effortless bend on out routes and digs, Wilson’s mobility profile isn’t dissimilar to 2022 first-round pick Chris Olave — but with even more top-end speed.
“To be sure, Olave was a much more polished and reliable prospect than Wilson coming out. Wilson still has room to keep expanding his route tree and refining his footwork at breaks.
“At the catch point, while Wilson has exceptional instincts, he can experience lapses in coordination and tracking, and he can shore up his catch technique. His general lack of durability across his career is also concerning.
“Between his medical history, age as a 23-year-old rookie, and below-average blocking utility, Wilson could fall to Day 3 in spite of elite testing. But in that range, he could be a gem in the 2024 NFL Draft WR class.
“If he can be consistent and consistently available at the next level, Wilson has the game-breaking explosiveness, dynamism, and usage versatility to be a valuable rotational weapon in the NFL — and he could grow to become an even better pro.”
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Roman Wilson
Falling to Day 3 would certainly put a damper on Wilson’s upside. But if he lands in the right spot and hones his skills, he could become a solid rotational NFL WR3.
Wilson’s Highlights, Records, and More
Wilson’s slow progression limited his ability to achieve many personal accolades. He does have a national championship to his name, which he’s undoubtedly very proud of.
Despite playing in a low-volume Michigan passing attack, Wilson still earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2023.
During his senior year, Wilson’s best performance came in a home game against Purdue, where he caught nine passes for a career-high 143 yards. That was his only 100-yard game.
KEEP READING: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
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