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Andrew Wilson
#48 | 6'3, 240, Sr. | Peculiar, MO
2010: 13 games, 33.0 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks
2011: 13 games, 72.5 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 FF
2012: 12 games, 61.5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 4 FF, 1 FR, 4 PBU, 2 QB hurries
Bill C.: Ray-Pec High School has been very, very good to Mizzou through the years. And in Andrew Wilson, Ray-Pec produced a bruiser, seemingly an SEC prototype at middle linebacker. Wilson had an up-and-down season in 2012, making far fewer plays behind the line of scrimmage but doing some nice things in pass coverage and forcing a team-leading (with Donovan Bonner) four fumbles. He's probably most natural in the middle, however, and that's where he'll be lining up this fall.
It is really important that Wilson have a good year in 2013. There is some fun youth and athleticism in the Mizzou linebacking corps -- Kentrell Brothers might be an even bigger hitter than Wilson, and guys like Michael Scherer and Donavin Newsom have been turning heads in spring and, apparently, fall practices. Plus, Donovan Bonner finally gets his chance to shine on the strong side. But you need a sure thing, and Wilson's the closest thing to it. If he's patrolling the middle well, some athletic outside linebackers can be a little more free to take risks and fly around.
MizzouRugby: The hardest hitting linebacker is now the leader of this defense. As physical and athletic as all but the super elite of SEC linebackers, it will be a ton of fun watching Wilson bring the wood for one more season.
The Beef: What sort of leader will Wilson be for the Tiger defense? Leader by example or leader by voice? Both perhaps? He has had a great run for the Tigers, and one last season as the QB of a defense at a bit of a cross-roads means he could go out impressively
countrycal: Another True Son who has just thoughtfully gone about his business until it is game time, and then opposing ball carriers had better watch their step. His teammates showed they know what he is made of with a selection as captain. With Sheldon and all his tackles gone from the middle, Wilson will be the one who will have to plug the middle gaps and should get plenty of tackle opportunities – all the better for fans and viewers. We may well see a super statistical season from Andrew and, if so, he deserves all the accolades he will get. He’s already had a steady, productive run at Mizzou; here’s my vote for for one of the top three defenders this year along with E.J. and Kony.