Russell Wilson to play football for Wisconsin (5pm update with video)

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5pm Update: Wilson’s announcement on ESPN.com College Football Live (Video Link).

Link

Russell Wilson has chosen Wisconsin over Auburn for his final year of college football eligibility. In addition he has left the Asheville Tourists, the minor league baseball team he had been playing for.

Following his dismissal from NC State for not giving up baseball to play football full time, much of the speculation pointed towards Wilson going to an SEC school. Given that the SEC is currently the sun around which much of college football revolves, that was understandable. Making good on that speculation, he visited Auburn first among the schools he considered.

However, Wisconsin came into the picture and made a strong impression. It’s likely that the school sold him on its strong returning roster at every position but quarterback. He will operate behind what is always a monstrous offensive line, have a well oiled rushing machine to complement his passing, and play opposite a pretty good defense. The crumbling of scandal-ridden Ohio State also makes Wisconsin’s path to the Big Ten title game a lot easier, as they’re in the same division (Leaders, thanks for asking) and the Badgers travel to Columbus.

Thank God we don’t have to hear about this decision again. It is a bitter sweet day…but, we obviously wish Russell the very best in his future endeavors.

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62 Responses to Russell Wilson to play football for Wisconsin (5pm update with video)

  1. TruthBKnown Returns 06/27/2011 at 5:21 PM #

    We’ve been over this so many times. It didn’t have to be an either/or discussion. TOB chose to make it one. If MG was threatening to transfer if it wasn’t an either/or conversation, then he’s the problem and I’ve had let him walk.

    I kind of agree. In principle, I would normally agree. But TOB could not let Glennon walk unless he knew Russell was returning. And arguably, it is Glennon that held us hostage. But at the same time, if he’s as talented as they say, and could play anywhere, why continue spinning your wheels behind Russell? I wouldn’t blame him for leaving if Russell had returned.

  2. EdMar 06/27/2011 at 7:01 PM #

    Good luck RW and you made the right decision TOB. Russell may not be able to make it in the NFL, but major league baseball was looking pretty rough. As of yesterday after 61 games he was batting 228, with 82 strikeouts in 193 times at bat. That was not very good on a 1A team.

  3. ncsu_kappa 06/27/2011 at 7:06 PM #

    I’m taking the wait and see attitude because TOB can’t really say anything else. What do we have to be confident about on offense if he doesn’t say MG is the second coming or the best ever.

    RW is obviously a stud and will be surrounded by more talent than he has ever seen compiled near him… save the all conference teams.

    I’m not sold the defense will be sick by any means but it should be solid. When everybody has to break out, it doesn’t leave me super optimistic.

    I’ve got two teams that I’ll rooting for… I like hedging my bets on Saturdays. If state wins, jubilation. If they lose and Wisc wins, I can at least be happy for RW. If they both lose, I’ll drown myself in misery like I otherwise would as a statefan.

  4. Wolf74 06/27/2011 at 7:28 PM #

    Good luck to you Russell. I appreciate all you did for the Pack.

  5. TAEdisonHokie 06/27/2011 at 8:20 PM #

    Good luck to Wilson at Wisconsin.

    As a Hokie, though, I am glad we don’t have to seem him again this coming year. He and Tyrod put on quite a show last year.

  6. wolffpride 06/27/2011 at 9:21 PM #

    john of sparta,

    I got you…I usually dont use that to describe college athletes. I only phrased it like that because his brother played his freshmen year. Glennon is a graduate and has had 3 years of learning the system. The point is that he is as ready as he will ever be, while he only has the 2 years to play, at least he will be more mature than his brother or any of the other failure QB’s we have had that were highly regarded. Once again, I am excited to see what this guy can do. If he sucks, then so be it. Hopefully Moose will just destroy teams this year. Is it September yet?

  7. tnwolfpacker 06/27/2011 at 9:59 PM #

    I’m a Wolfpack grad but for the last several years I have been following the qb situation at Wisconsin since they recruited Curt Phillips from our local high school Sullivan South in Kingsport, TN. Curt was one of the best HS qb’s I’ve seen play and I was hoping he would have great success at UW as a run/throw threat and a great student/athlete. When Russell Wilson rose to the forefront at NCSU I was thinking, wow, we have our own Curt Phillips! Unfortunately, Curt has suffered a series of serious knee injuries and multiple surgeries that have prevented him from seeing significant playing time at UW. He had surgery again this spring and will probably miss the entire fall season. That leaves UW very thin at QB although Jon Budmayr has shown potential and may well be the starter. Certainly, RW would provide a great backup that should be able to learn quickly and could well takeover the starting role if Budmayr struggles. Good luck to Russell and the Badgers this year.

  8. TheCOWDOG 06/27/2011 at 11:11 PM #

    Look on the bright side ya’ll.

    You’ll never have to hear me tell you how it would all shake out for Wilson again.

  9. wolfonthehill 06/28/2011 at 5:41 AM #

    If he had just….. waited….. on A-league baseball……. none of this is necessary. The very smart young man made a very bad decision last summer – I hope he ends up with a long, profitable career in one of his sports, but I believe the past year has hurt the chances of that.

  10. lumbee wolfman 06/28/2011 at 9:29 AM #

    Why must this be a win-lose proposition??? I boldly predict that N.C. State will play Wisconsin in the Orange or Sugar Bowl. You heard it here first!!!

  11. lumbee wolfman 06/28/2011 at 9:31 AM #

    BTW. Tied at the end of regulation. Pack wins in OT!!!!

  12. travelwolf 06/28/2011 at 7:23 PM #

    The irony of the only NC State player who I’ve ever seen interviewed on ESPN (except for at the end of a game) being one who’s transferring FROM NC State is not lost on me. We have absolutely no “cred” in the sports world.

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