Looking For A Big Finish Vandal Tries To Bounce Back From Heartbreak Of His Junior Year
Football coaches hope for great career-capping seasons for seniors.
University of Idaho defensive tackle Tim Wilson probably deserves one.
Wilson went through more agony than should be allowable during his junior season. His mother, Rosie, was in failing health before her heart gave out last November. Wilson knew the inevitable was coming, but no amount of preparation can truly ready a son for that day.
As his mother’s health declined, so did Wilson’s concentration on schoolwork and football. That was unusual behavior for a conscientious student who had never caused an iota of trouble, defensive coordinator Nick Holt said. “He’s like a gentle giant, very enjoyable to be around.”
“It pretty much didn’t work out,” the 6-foot, 270-pound Wilson said of his junior year. “The biggest thing was knowing I couldn’t be down there with her at the time.”
Wilson’s mom was waiting for a heart transplant, “but her lungs were so bad it wouldn’t have done any good,” he said.
On the morning of Nov. 9, a few hours before the New Mexico State game, Wilson’s phone rang.
“My sister called. We knew the time was coming, so I had kind of prepared myself for it,” Wilson said. “I just went out and played and said, ‘This is for you, Mom.’ “
The call brought needed closure, but part of Wilson can’t let go.
“She did so much for me,” Wilson said. “Whenever I did something wrong, she was always there to pick me up. I really miss that now.”
Memories help fill the void.
“One of the last times I saw her, it surprised her when I walked into the hospital in Atlanta,” Wilson said. “She had a big smile on her face.”
Wilson’s family relocated from Seattle to Atlanta last year. Idaho had recruited Wilson out of Seattle’s Garfield High, noticing he had quick feet, even though he carried 230 pounds.
Currently, at 270, Wilson has run 40 yards in 4.71 seconds. Head coach Chris Tormey compares Wilson to former Washington Husky DeMarco Farr, a tackle with the St. Louis Rams.
“He’s got to be the guy to step up and have a great senior year if we’re going to have a chance to be solid on defense,” Tormey said.
“He can be as good as he wants to be,” Holt said. “One game, he’s awesome. The next game, he’s not a factor. With him, it’s conditioning.”
Wilson’s sophomore season (36 tackles, seven sacks) was his best. This spring, he’s in good shape, but there’s room for improvement.
Away from football, Wilson will graduate next May in operations management and human resources. He has interned at the Seattle Times.
He is the elder citizen on the defense. “I can’t believe I’ve been here that long,” he said. “Our defense is one that always runs to the run. I have to be a run-stopper.”
He hopes for a strong senior year.
Notes
Junior Yaphet Warren, competing for a starting outside linebacker spot, has left the team. “He’s trying to decide what he wants to do,” Tormey said. Warren was listed behind Whitney Mayer on the depth chart… . The annual spring game is Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in the Kibbie Dome. Tormey’s annual golf tournament follows Saturday at the UI course.
Dennis Gibbs, a redshirt freshman cornerback, is pushing for a starting spot. Seniors Arnold Gunn and Ryan McGinnis top the depth chart… . Greg DeBolt has climbed past Mike O’Neal, who averaged 36.6 yards per punt last season, on the depth chart… . Coaches are ecstatic with the spring performances of freshmen such as offensive linemen Rick DeMulling and Brett Morton, end Cade Smith, and defensive tackles Lani Emerson. Junior safety Kevin Hill also has had an outstanding spring.
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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: VANDALS SCRIMMAGE 11:30 a.m. at Coeur d’Alene High