2014 Big 12 Media Days: Julian Wilson expecting young secondary to step up

DALLAS, TX — Oklahoma’s 2012 secondary dubbed themselves “The Sharks.” While they ended up being bait to many explosive Big 12 offensive attacks, the 2013 secondary made great strides with Aaron Colvin as its leader.

Colvin and fellow senior Gabe Lynn combined for 117 tackles and five interceptions last season. The 2014 group, though, will have to replace that production, and Sooners safety Julian Wilson knows it.

“I feel like everybody has been working hard in the secondary,” Lynn said. “Everybody has been getting bigger, faster, stronger. We have some young guys who are ready to step up and compete for spots this year. We need the young guys to come in and play at a high intensity.“

“Coach Stoops does a great job of keeping us humble, letting us know that what goes on outside of the locker room doesn’t mean anything. We know what we can control.” – Julian Wilson

While at safety, Wilson finished his junior season with 26 tackles and had three interceptions. However, during Bob Stoops’ press conference, he noted Wilson has been working at cornerback.

“Wilson was recruited to be a corner, he has been working out there along with a good number of other guys, Dakota Austin, and you already have Zack Sanchez on the other side, Stanvon Taylor, Cortez Johnson, all those guys will be battling,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “We really like some of our young freshmen that just got in.  So there’s talent there.  We’re just going to see who is the most consistent and making the most plays.”

Under the direction of Mike Stoops and Bobby Jack Wright, Oklahoma’s corners and safeties will need to step up with the typically lofty expectations that comes with Oklahoma’s football program.

While the media picked Oklahoma to win the Big 12 Conference in a landslide, Wilson appears to be unfazed by the media’s predictions, and explained how he avoids falling in to the hype.

“Just keep your head out of the media. Just stay focused on things you can control,” Wilson said. “You see people get caught up in the media, either getting too cocky or letting the media degrade their game so bad that lose confidence in their self. I think Coach Stoops does a great job of keeping us humble, letting us know that what goes on outside of the locker room doesn’t mean anything. We know what we can control and that’s what we focus on.”

The Sooners will begin their hunt for a Big 12 Conference and National Championship Aug. 30 against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Julian Wilson and the OU secondary will look to make its impact felt with a good showing in 2014.

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