Kyle Wilson, CB

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.

The following season, Wilson appeared in ten games, starting the final five, and was named honorable mention Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. He made a name for himself early, intercepting a pass and returning it 16 yards vs. Hawaii in his first career game. He registered 10 tackles in Boise State's storybook win over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, capping off the Broncos' undefeated season. He more than fulfilled his obligations as a student, earning All-WAC academic honors.

As a sophomore, Wilson became a full-time starter at left cornerback. He finished the season with 41 tackles, eight pass deflections, two tackles for loss, one sack, and a blocked kick. He had a season-high six tackles vs. East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl. He earned second-team All-WAC honors, as well as academic All-WAC for the second straight season.

Wilson continued improving as a junior and enjoyed a great statistical season. He ranked second in the conference and 28th nationally with five interceptions while deflecting 10 other passes. His total of fifteen passes defended tied for eighteenth in the major college ranks. He earned first-team All-WAC honors at cornerback after being named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, given annually to the nation's best defensive player.

Wilson added second-team All-Western Athletic Conference honors as a punt returner, as he returned 33 punts for 470 yards and three touchdowns. He earned WAC Special Teams Player of the Week the final week of the season after piling up 136 yards on three punt returns vs. Fresno State. Wilson also garnered academic All-WAC honors for the third straight season.

Wilson returned as a senior with much hype after being named to the preseason watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Award, and Jim Thorpe Award. The second-team All-American collected a career-high 43 tackles (31 solo) and ranked third on the team with three interceptions. He returned two punts for touchdowns with a 27-yard return vs. San Jose State and a 71-yarder vs. Idaho, as he earned WAC Defensive Player of the Week honors vs. San Jose State.

The senior cornerback ended his career on a high note vs. Texas Christian in the Fiesta Bowl, recording three tackles including a sack on Andy Dalton in which he leveled the quarterback and forced him to fumble as Boise State capped off another undefeated season. The first-team All-WAC choice was again selected to the league's academic squad, marking the fourth straight season he has received the award.

Release: Quick out of his stance; can put a move on corner if in press or flat-out fly by zone corners and safeties waiting for him at the second level.

Hands: Has small hands, but is a reliable receiver. Snatches the ball out of the air on high and wide throws, even in traffic. Uses his hands when facing the quarterback as well. Tracks the ball over either shoulder and can leap to make the catch if the pass is overthrown. Will drop one occasionally when trying to make a move before securing the ball.

Route running: Owns the foot quickness to be a two-way threat from the slot. Stops quickly and gets a good angle on inside routes. Hesitation on stop-go routes freezes defenders and allows him to explode past. Will be a major threat on crossing routes at the next level. Will need work on his hand play near the line as he will be challenged within the five-yard area. Good burst to the ball when it's in the air.

After the catch: Jitterbug on the edge on quick screens, using jump step to elude defenders. Also used on inside screens, where he can weave his way through traffic. Good body control to head upfield after making the catch toward the sideline. Tough runner for his size; will lower his head to get to first down marker (though he's not strong enough to bowl over linebackers). Vision with the ball is good, not great, will run into blockers. Good punt returner because of his hands and acceleration. Doesn't always make the first man miss, but will make teams pay for low punts and poor coverage with good speed and shifty hips in the open field.

Blocking: Willing inside blocker for the run who gets into his man's jersey. Gives good effort to sustain and has upper-body strength, but is too small to hang on for long against larger defenders. Resorts to cut block at times, but will get into the thigh of the defender to stop him from reaching the ballcarrier. Looks for someone to hit downfield to help teammates.

Intangibles: Stepped up into leadership role on offense, worked hard in the off-season to build bulk. Missed time with a right hamstring injury in 2009.

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.

Second-team All-American selection by The NFL Draft Report, Associated Press and the Walter Camp Football Foundation … First-team All-Western Athletic Conference choice by the league's head coaches … Added Academic All-WAC accolades … Named to the preseason watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player), Bronko Nagurski Award (top defensive player), and Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) … Ranked eighth on the team with 43 tackles (31 solo), including 4.5 stops for losses of 19 yards, one sack for minus-8 yards and one forced fumble … Intercepted three passes for 98 yards in return, (32.7-yard average) and two touchdowns … Deflected four other passes … Returned 24 punts for 250 yards -- his average of 10.42 yards per punt return ranked second in the conference and 26th nationally … Also returned two kickoffs 32 yards (16.0-yard average) … Made 23 stops after receptions for 247 yards (10.73-yard average) and 10 first downs, including seven third-down conversions and another on fourth-down, and five third-down stops … Rerouted receivers away from 34 other pass attempts … Made 17 stops vs. the run for 112 yards (6.59 yards per carry) and five first downs … Added one tackle on the punt coverage unit … Posted two of his hits inside the red zone.

Wilson garnered first-team All-WAC honors as a cornerback and second-team accolades as a return specialist … Also earned Academic All-Conference honors for the third-straight season … Shared the team's Special Teams Player of the Year Award with kicker Kyle Brotzman … Started all thirteen games at left cornerback, recording 35 tackles (26 solo) with three stops for losses of 5 yards … Part of a squad that had a 94.43 pass efficiency defense rating, second-best in the nation … The Broncos also finishing third in the NCAA in scoring defense (12.62 points per game) … Ranked second in the conference and 12th in the nation with 33 punt returns for 470 yards (14.24-yard average) and three touchdowns … Tied for second in the WAC while ranking 28th in the country with five interceptions and also broke up 10 passes.

All-WAC second-team choice in his first year as a full-time starter, adding Academic All-Conference honors … Started all 13 games at left cornerback, registering 41 tackles (36 solos) with a 4-yard sack and two stops for losses of 7 yards … Carried once for a 1-yard loss vs. Hawaii … Deflected eight passes and intercepted two others for 20 yards in returns, picking off one pass vs. Wyoming and the other for a 20-yard return vs. New Mexico State … Gained 70 yards on five punt returns (14.0-yard average), including a 61-yarder vs. Weber State in the season opener … Also blocked an extra point attempt vs. Hawaii … Was in on a season-high six tackles vs. East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl.

Freshman All-American honorable mention by The Sporting News … Did not appear in the team's first three games, but saw action in 10 contests, starting the final five, as he came up with 41 tackles (33 solos) … Caused and recovered a fumble vs. Nevada … Deflected five passes and had a 16-yard interception return vs. Hawaii … In his first career start, Wilson produced 11 tackles vs. Fresno State … Added ten solo tackles vs. Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl upset victory.

Redshirted as a freshman … Signed with Boise State in February 2005.

No major injuries reported.

Campus: 4.42 in the 40-yard dash … 1.49 10-yard dash … 2.51 20-yard dash … 4.10 20-yard shuttle … 6.79 three-cone drill … 38-inch vertical jump … 10'2" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times … 30 1/2-inch arm length … 9 1/8-inch hands.

Attended Piscataway (N.J.) High School, playing football for head coach Daniel Higgins … Helped lead his team to three straight state championships as a wide receiver, cornerback, and return specialist, including undefeated season in 2002 and 2004 and a 33-3 overall record … Named MVP of the New Jersey state championship game as a junior and senior … The three-year letterman gained 281 yards on 51 carries and scored three touchdowns, returned 12 punts for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and picked off two passes for 71 yards, returning one for a touchdown as a junior … As a senior team captain, Wilson earned first-team All-State, All-Area, All-County, All-Conference, and All-Division honors while collecting 375 yards on 55 carries, 622 yards and eleven touchdowns on 33 receptions, five interceptions for 111 yards and a touchdown, and 270 yards and two touchdowns on 17 punt returns … Set school records for receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns, and single-season scoring … Also lettered four years in spring track, two years in winter track, and was a member of the National Honor Society … Given a two-star rating from Scout.com … Chose Boise State over offers from Iowa and Rutgers.

Communications major … Earned Academic All-Western Athletic Conference four-straight seasons from 2006-2009 … Born 5/30/87 … Resides in Piscataway, New Jersey.