Growth Management Wilson Catches On At Idaho Thanks To An 8-Inch Growth Spurt Since High School

It took a while for Antonio Wilson to grow up.

It took about 30 seconds for him to put that growth to good use.

A couple years ago, Wilson was holding down two jobs - at Foot Locker and a movie theater - when a football promo popped up on the TV screen.

“Get Stoked,” was the phrase Wilson, now a University of Idaho junior wide receiver, remembered hearing as he watched then-UCLA Bruin J.J. Stokes pull in another reception.

“I felt I could do the same thing,” said Wilson, who will try to do so when Idaho faces rival Boise State on Saturday in Boise.

Wilson was a 5-foot-7 quarterback in high school. He worked odd jobs the next couple of years and didn’t attend college. He gave football a second thought after seeing the Stokes commercial and growing to his present size of 6-3.

“I think I’m still growing,” Wilson said.

In reality, Wilson grew up a long time ago. One of four children of mother, Shirley, and a father he barely remembers, Wilson had all the excuses necessary to fall into the usual trappings of Los Angeles.

And two reasons why he didn’t.

“My mom and sports,” he said. “There was so much pressure on my mom raising me, I wanted to be the good son. That was my main purpose.”

One of Wilson’s two sisters and a brother had different purposes. They found trouble that Wilson declines to detail. “I can deal with it, but I choose not to discuss it,” he said. “I haven’t talked to my sister in a couple of years.”

Wilson is comfortable and successful at Idaho, but can’t guarantee he will return for his senior season because of family circumstances. “I don’t know yet,” he said. “I have to talk to my mom, she has some things going on right now.”

Losing Wilson would be staggering for Idaho. He is UI’s biggest threat in a big-play offense. His average catch gains 18.6 yards and his 1,191 receiving yards are 350 more than any other receiver.

“He’s got good size, good hands and a good work ethic,” receivers coach Paul Skansi said. “You put those three together and you’ve got a pretty good receiver.”

Skansi spent nine years in the NFL and believes Wilson has pro ability.

“The No. 1 thing he has to work on is his speed,” Skansi said.

Wilson said he runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds - fast, but not blazing. It hasn’t hurt him so far at Idaho, or the two seasons prior at West Los Angeles Junior College.

“I actually never thought I could play (college ball) coming out of high school because I was short,” said Wilson, a cousin of New York Jets rookie receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

Once the inches arrived, Wilson had to learn the position. In his sophomore year at West L.A., he had 31 catches for 523 yards.

Wilson, recruited by former UI player and assistant Kasey Dunn, quickly moved into a starting spot at Idaho last spring.

Just as important, he’s impressed teammates as a quality person and team player - even if he is a lousy singer.

“He had a little trouble in two-a-days. He didn’t like the singing that we make all the new guys do (per Vandal tradition),” senior Ryan Phillips said. “He eventually got up there after a couple of threats.”

Former high school teammates and coaches are shocked when they see Wilson, who just turned 24.

“It’s like, ‘Man, we wish you were this tall when you played (in high school),”’ Wilson said. “They’re really surprised.”

Wilson’s life is no longer a short story, but a tall tale. The believable kind.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo