'07 IL OLB/DE Martez Wilson (Illinois signee)

[Onebuckfan]

Originally Posted by Moose

First off, What the heck is "A uptight white coach"?

Second, Yeah, I'll tell you what you want to hear, just sign on the dotted line. (Ala Zook seasoning his words with sugar).

I wish Martez the best. I don't think Tressel falls in the catagory of an "uptight white coach".

Belichik, Weis..HA

[Moose]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

uptight white coaches are the ones that don't challenge frat houses to fist fights.

O.K. Now I understand. Its just a term that I've never hear before.

[Buckskin86]

Updated: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 1:40 AM CDT
Looking for a fresh start
By MARK TUPPER H&R Executive Sports Editor

RANTOUL - Martez Wilson looks like he could outrun a Corvette.

Wilson looks fast even when he's standing still. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound linebacker from Chicago Simeon actually looks taller and leaner than his advertised size. He looks almost thin, but when he's running full speed there's no doubt about his rare athleticism.

The trouble is, when he lines up at linebacker and the ball is snapped, there are plays during which he's uncertain what to do. So Wilson takes a half-step to his right, stops, pauses, then backpedals to his left. All of a sudden the play is over and this ultraquick linebacker has never reached half-speed.

Zook's analysis sounds convoluted, but it makes sense.

"He's only going to be as good as the things he can do fast," the coach said. "There is no way of knowing yet what he'll be able to do, but when you are down there in the briar patch, things happen fast.

"But we can do some things with Martez. We can put in a little package for him. Coaching is putting a player in position where he can be successful. Their freshman year, you give them what they can handle. The best coaches I've been around are guys who know that.

"We have to use the things Martez can do and we won't know that for weeks. One thing I do know: If you put him on the edge and tell him to get around the corner and rush the passer, he can do that."

Wilson thinks he's making progress.

"The first day I was kind of lost," he said. "Then I started moving around and running to the ball. By the middle of camp I'll just be out there balling."

Another thing Wilson can do immediately at full speed is run down the field on kickoff coverage, looking for the return man. So in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, he lined up for the opening kickoff and quickly hit his stride.

For now, Wilson is concentrating on defense. But he's hoping for a chance on offense, too.

"By the middle of the season I might be playing a little offense," said Wilson, who wants a crack at wide receiver.

Herald & Review | Looking for a fresh start, By MARK TUPPER H&R Executive Sports Editor

[Buckskin86]

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 12:35 AM CDT

Quickly turning heads: Soph Wilson finally harnessing speed

RANTOUL - A pro scout recently approached senior Brit Miller and couldn't resist making a comment about his fellow Illini linebacker, Martez Wilson.

``Jeez,'' the scout said. ``He is sooooo pretty.''

As athletes go, Wilson is a one-man beauty pageant, a physical specimen so perfectly assembled that even macho men who would never think to stare at another male do a double-take when Wilson strides by.

If a Greek sculptor were crafting the visage of the modern football warrior, he might carve from granite the precise likeness of Martez Wilson. He is somewhere between 6-foot-4 and 6-5 and carries about 250 pounds of chiseled muscle that clings to his arms, thick shoulders, rock-hard legs and rippled stomach without the hint of excess flesh.

He runs the 40-yard dash in about 4.4 seconds, which is a frightening proposition for a young man his size. And after being used as a situational defender last year, while coaches tried to channel his absurd athleticism, he becomes a key starter for the Illini defense this season.

``Martez can have a breakout year,'' co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch said. ``We expect him to. It's his year to play great. He has played extremely hard, and his knowledge of the game is so much better than it was a year ago. That knowledge is what will allow him to play faster.''

Herald & Review | Sports: Quickly turning heads: Soph Wilson finally harnessing speed

[daveeb]

Linebacker Martez Wilson hospitalized after late-night incident - Sports

[leroyjenkins]

ESPN - Teammate: Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson hospitalized after stabbing

more on the above mentioned incident

[buchtelgrad04]

Praying for a speedy recovery.

[Taosman]

"Illinois Football........the Soap Opera".