 Miami SS Robbie Wilson (6) at recent practice / Photo: Mike Smith
Such an honor typically goes to a player who not only has been successful at his own position, but also possesses strong leadership qualities.
At least on the former point, there was a time when some may have doubted just how well Wilson could fare on a Division I collegiate level.
Oh, Wilson had enjoyed plenty of gridiron success at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. In fact, he was tabbed state Player of the Year following his senior prep season, but his exploits were accomplished on the Ohio Division V level.
Never mind that Wilson also did well when compared to collegiate Division I-bound players at several high profile football camps. His accomplishments and potential were viewed with skepticism in some quarters.
“I really didn’t know how much it mattered, actually, until the summer going into my senior year,” Wilson said. “I went to a lot of camps …, and that is when I began to realize they pay a lot of attention to the division you play in.”
On one hand, the camps helped reinforce Wilson’s self-confidence. “I wasn’t any different. They weren’t any better than I was,” he said of campers from high profile schools and higher prep divisions.
On the other hand, solid camp performances still weren’t opening any more doors. In fact, a few of the door locks may have been changed after Wilson broke his leg in a post season game on Halloween night of his senior year. While some schools hemmed and hawed about their interest, Miami continued to pursue Wilson and eventually brought him into the fold.
“I was definitely worried, but Miami stuck with me,” Wilson said. “It kind of let me know that is the place I want to be.... I don’t have any regrets at all. I’m very grateful for where I am.”
 Like a number of this year’s RedHawk seniors, Wilson arrived on the Oxford campus in the wake of Miami’s outstanding 2003 campaign. That RedHawks team, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, posted a 13-1 record, captured a MAC title, won a bowl game and finished with a national No. 10 ranking in the final AP poll.
Such was the kind of season to which so many collegiate coaches and players aspire. The RedHawks did go 7-1 in conference play (8-5 overall) while winning a MAC title in 2004. Wilson, like many of his classmates, redshirted during that season.
He was on the field as a special teams player and reserve safety during all 11 games of a 7-4 (5-3 MAC) season in 2005.
By 2006, Wilson was starting on a very young RedHawks squad that finished fifth in the MAC East while posting a disappointing 2-10 overall record (2-6 MAC).
“We were pretty young,” recalled defensive coordinator Jay Hood. “We were playing Purdue that year, and I think Purdue had over 50 kids in the program that had been there either four or five years. We had 25.”
He continued, “Obviously, 2006 was a very humbling experience for all of us. We’ve got to learn to use those things as positives, and I think the kids have.”
Shane Montgomery, who ascended from offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to Miami's head coaching position in 2004, is well aware of his current seniors’ experiences. “This group of seniors has seen it all,” Montgomery told a group of about 500 RedHawks fans who attended the ’08 Pigskin Preview picnic.
The picnic’s record crowd, in part, reflects optimism about the upcoming campaign. The same youngsters who took their lumps in ’06 began to turn the corner in 2007. Miami went 4-2 in the MAC East (5-2 MAC, 6-7 overall) and earned an appearance in the MAC championship game. Much of the credit went to a defensive unit that led the league in total defense, rushing defense, passing defense and scoring defense during MAC competition.
For his part, Wilson started all 13 games. He had 75 total tackles (including 13 against Colorado), two interceptions and seven pass break-ups.
With nine of their 11 defensive starters returning in ’08, Miami hopes to lay some more serious defense on opponents this season. As a strong safety, Wilson often watches the action unfold right in front of him. He sees a lot to admire, including the play of linebackers Clayton Mullins, Joey Hudson and Caleb Bostic. The group is believed to be the first trio from one team nominated to the watch list for the prestigious Butkus Award in the same year. Mullins was the 2007 MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
“Those guys in front of me play so fast,” Wilson said. “It’s very easy and fun to play behind them.”
Games, of course, are the reward which follows plenty of hard work. According to Hood, players like Wilson are particularly valuable during those dog days of August when good teams are trying to build the vehicle for a highly successful season.
“Every day is not going to be game day,” Hood said. “You’ve got to show up every day and work hard. I think Robbie understands that.”
“You have to come out to practice with the attitude: One - I’m going to get better. Two - I’m going to do what I have to do to make my team better,” said Wilson, who feels good about senior leadership on the squad.
“I’m not on my own,” he said. “Clayton Mullins isn’t the most vocal guy, but if he says it, you better listen. Joey Hudson, I would say, is probably the most vocal guy on our defense. Especially in our senior class, we’ve got some guys who don’t mind stepping up and speaking.”
“We’re really excited about finally having a large group of seniors who are good players,” Hood said. “They’ve played a lot of games. They understand how to show up and work hard. Hopefully, they are mentoring those younger kids into the same habits.”
With each day, the RedHawks can turn their attention more to the Aug. 28 season opener against Vanderbilt. The Commodores, who came from behind for a 24-13 win over Miami last year in Nashville, will be the first Southeastern Conference team to visit Oxford.
“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Hood said. “We competed really well (last year). They had just beaten South Carolina (17-6), and they should have beaten Georgia the week before that. They had Georgia on the ropes and lost (20-17) by a field goal at the end of the game.
“We’re going to have to come out and play really well to get it done, but I’m confident that we will hopefully put ourselves in that position,” Hood said.
With ESPNU using the Miami-Vanderbilt contest as its inaugural high definition telecast, people across the nation will get a good look at the RedHawks. For the seniors, the game is an opportunity of 2008 to show their fans how far they’ve come. For Wilson, it is another chance to show he is right where he always knew he belonged – playing Division I football in a quality program.
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