Martez Wilson

With Big Ten and other prominent national programs peeking into their back yard, the Illini have a difficult time convincing elite homegrown talent to spend a few years playing football in Champaign. But coach Ron Zook convinced Wilson to shun scholarship offers from Florida, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame and USC to head 2 1/2 hours south of his hometown Chicago to play for Illinois. Wilson was candid in his goal of playing immediately and playing for three years before heading to the NFL. The 2006 USA Today first-team high school All-American appeared well on his way toward accomplishing that goal when he played in all 13 games as a true freshman. He followed that up by averaging 6.6 tackles per game in 2008. Wilson's third season was starting out just as expected as he racked up nine tackles in the season opener against Missouri. That was before he suffered a herniated disk that would end his 2009 season and result in a medical redshirt. Following a lengthy rehab, Wilson returned last season to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors with 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a host of big plays. He was also a major factor in the Illini winning their first bowl game since 1999. "It was precious. Just having that moment, coming in off of neck surgery, most people wouldn't probably want to play football again after an injury such as that nature," Wilson said at the scouting combine. "So just to come back and have the ability to have a great season like I did was wonderful. I loved it." Albeit a year late, Wilson was true to his goal of leaving Champaign after his junior season. Game film already showed he has the straight-line speed and length to be an excellent fit inside in a 3-4 defense, and that was before his blistering 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Wilson underwent a lengthy medical evaluation at the combine as teams want to be convinced the neck injury won't be a lingering long-term issue. He wore a neck roll per doctor's orders last season, but said his neck is getting healthier and the roll "probably can go." If NFL doctor's agree, Wilson's athleticism and versatility has a chance to get him selected in the last third of the first round.

tackling

One of the leading tacklers in the country, relying on his length and speed. Not usually explosive upon contact but slows down backs and makes a lot of ankle tackles when other linebackers would not even get a hand on the ballcarrier. Shows good hustle, comes off blitz to pursue 15-20 yards downfield. His height hinders his ability to drop his hips and get low, rolling off ballcarriers instead of sticking them. Only average flexibility, which could limit his 3-4 role to the inside rather than a pass-rushing outside 'backer. Nice range allows him to help teammates bring down receivers and can beat the ball to the sideline.

pass rush/blitz

Uses his slim frame to get skinny through holes inside to regularly bring down running backs in the backfield. Also uses length and speed to beat tackles outside with swim or rip moves. Very good closing speed to the quarterback. Lines up with his hand on the ground occasionally, flashing get-off but lacking great flexibility to turn the corner.

intangibles

Relied purely on athleticism early in his career. Began watching film before 2010 season. Had surgery on a herniated disk in his neck after the first game of the 2009 season, redshirted. Still wears neck protector. Suffered knife wound coming to the aid of teammate De'Angelo McCray, who was being beaten outside a Champaign bar in December 2008. Focused more on academics and football after the incident.

run defense

Gap-attacking defender who uses his length to bring down most backs in the hole. Lanky-framed linebacker with fair upper-body development. Extends his long arms to keep offensive linemen at an arm's length as they try to reach him. Works his way through traffic near the line. Better when he sling-shots around blockers than trying to stack-and-shed. Good speed to get the angle down the sideline to minimize big plays. Willing to hit backs head-on in the hole and stand them up. Needs to get stronger in pro strength and conditioning and be more violent with his hands to shed blocks. Overpursues and is too aggressive reading angles.

pass defense

Gets a hand on receivers crossing over the middle to knock them off their routes. Good speed to get deep in his drop. Runs the seam with receivers, sometimes 40-50 yards downfield. Great length and speed to affect passing lanes when focusing on the quarterback. Good hustle to the ball in zone coverage. Should handle man coverage against tight ends. Only adequate anticipating routes into the flat, too often gets caught in no-man's land between pass rush and defense. Must improve his ability to read routes. Susceptible to cut blocks in run and pass defense.

read & react

Not the most instinctual player. A step or two late to recognize run or pass, and will be fooled by misdirection. Excellent reaction speed once he sees it develop. Finds a crease to attack the backfield or slice through a stretch play.

compares to

Karlos Dansby, Dolphins - Like the Dolphins' steady inside 'backer, Wilson is tall and has long arms. He said in his ideal role, he'd also play outside at times and be allowed to rush off the edge.

Combine: 4.42 40-yard dash; 23 bench reps at 225 pounds; 10'4" broad jump; 36-inch vertical; 4.28 short shuttle; 7.04 3-cone drill.

2006 USA Today first-team All-American

Parade All-American

Ranked sixth on the ESPN Top-150 list

SuperPrep All-American

PrepStar Dream Team member

Ranked the 21st best player in the country by PrepStar

Champaign News-Gazette first-

Born Sept. 21, 1989

Enrolled in the general curriculum

Chose Illinois over Notre Dame, USC, Ohio State, Miami (FL), Florida and Michigan.