Russell Wilson's College Football Career: A Statistical Overview
Russell Carrington Wilson, now a professional quarterback for the New York Giants, had a remarkable college career that spanned two universities: North Carolina State (NC State) and Wisconsin. His journey from a two-sport athlete to a highly touted NFL prospect is filled with impressive statistics and accolades. This article delves into Wilson's college stats, highlighting his achievements and contributions to both the NC State Wolfpack and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Early Years at NC State (2008-2010)
After excelling in both football and baseball at Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia, Russell Wilson initially committed to NC State, choosing them over offers from other schools like Duke.
2008 Season: Freshman Sensation
In 2008, Wilson made an immediate impact as a freshman, eventually taking over the starting quarterback role. He completed 150 of 275 passes for 1,955 yards, throwing 17 touchdowns with only one interception. Additionally, he rushed for 388 yards and four touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him the distinction of being the first freshman ever to be named first-team All-ACC quarterback and the league's Rookie of the Year. He also received the football team's Governor's Award for team MVP.
2009 Season: Rising Star
Expectations were high for Wilson entering the 2009 season, and he did not disappoint. He was named to the All-ACC Second Team, finishing the season with 224 completions out of 378 attempts for 3,027 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He added 260 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Despite his individual success, the Wolfpack struggled to win games, finishing with a 5-7 record. Wilson also showcased his baseball talents, playing 32 games in the Minor Leagues for the Tri-City Dust Devils that summer, maintaining his college football eligibility.
2010 Season: Leading the Pack
In his final season at NC State, Wilson continued to excel. He led the ACC in passing yards per game (274.1) and total offense (307.5). He completed 308 of 527 passes for 3,563 yards, throwing 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 435 yards and nine touchdowns. Wilson was named second-team All-ACC and earned the team's Governor's Award as the Most Valuable Performer. Throughout his NC State career, Wilson threw 76 touchdown passes, the second-best mark in school history and the third-highest in ACC history. He also rushed for 17 career scores, making his 93 total touchdowns the second-best mark in school and ACC history.
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Transfer to Wisconsin (2011)
After his junior season, Wilson made the decision to transfer to the University of Wisconsin. He was immediately eligible and led the Badgers to an 11-3 record and a Big Ten Championship.
2011 Season: Record-Breaking Performance
Wilson's single season with the Wisconsin Badgers was nothing short of spectacular. He set an NCAA record for pass efficiency (191.8). He completed 225 of 309 passes for 3,175 yards, throwing 33 touchdowns to just four interceptions, while rushing for 338 yards and six scores. Wilson earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named the Grese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year. He also earned Grange-Griffin Big Ten Championship Game MVP honors after throwing three touchdown passes against Michigan State. His performance in 2011 solidified his status as a top NFL prospect.
College Statistics Overview
Wilson's college career can be summarized by the following statistics:
Passing Statistics
| Season | GP/GS | Comp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | TD | INT | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 12/11 | 150 | 275 | .545 | 1955 | 17 | 1 | 67 |
| 2009 | 12/12 | 224 | 378 | .593 | 3027 | 31 | 11 | 80 |
| 2010 | 13/13 | 308 | 527 | .584 | 3563 | 28 | 14 | 60 |
| 2011 | 14/14 | 225 | 309 | .728 | 3175 | 33 | 4 | 66 |
| Totals | 51/50 | 907 | 1489 | .609 | 11720 | 109 | 30 | 80 |
Rushing Statistics
| Season | Att. | Yds. | TD | Yds/Att | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116 | 388 | 4 | 3.3 | 29 |
| 2009 | 103 | 260 | 4 | 2.5 | 25 |
| 2010 | 143 | 435 | 9 | 3.0 | 34 |
| 2011 | 79 | 338 | 6 | 4.3 | 46 |
| Totals | 441 | 1421 | 23 | 3.2 | 46 |
Receiving Statistics
| Season | Rec. | Yds. | TD | Yds/Rec | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| 2010 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4.0 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 | 56 | 1 | 18.7 | 32 |
| Totals | 4 | 60 | 1 | 15.0 | 32 |
Total Offense
| Season | Plays | Rush Yds. | Pass Yds. | Total | Avg./G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 391 | 388 | 1955 | 2343 | 213.0 |
| 2009 | 481 | 260 | 3027 | 3287 | 273.9 |
| 2010 | 670 | 435 | 3563 | 3998 | 307.5 |
| 2011 | 388 | 338 | 3175 | 3513 | 250.9 |
| Totals | 1899 | 1421 | 11720 | 13141 | 257.7 |
Honors and Awards
Throughout his college career, Russell Wilson received numerous honors and awards, including:
- 2011 (at Wisconsin):
- Third-team All-American (Yahoo! Sports, Phil Steele)
- Honorable mention All-American (SI.com)
- Finalist for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
- Semifinalist for Davey O'Brien Award and Maxwell Award
- Grese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the year
- Consensus first-team All-Big Ten
- Jimmy Demetral Team MVP
- 2010 (at North Carolina State):
- Second-team All-ACC
- Team's Governor's Award as the Most Valuable Performer
- 2009 (at North Carolina State):
- Honorable mention All-ACC performer
- Team's most valuable offensive back
- Academic All-ACC
- 2008 (at North Carolina State):
- First-team All-ACC quarterback
- ACC Rookie of the Year
- First-team All-Freshman (CollegeFootballNews.com)
NFL Draft and Beyond
After an outstanding college career, Russell Wilson entered the 2012 NFL Draft. Questions about his height led some to believe he would be a mid-round pick. The Seattle Seahawks selected him in the third round (75th overall). In 2024 Wilson would sign with the New York Giants following a one-year stint in Pittsburgh.
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