Former 3-Star 2023 Florida Dual Threat QB TJ Wilson Entering Transfer Portal
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If it has been a while since you’ve seen Tierra “TJ” Wilson spin it, take the time to catch up by watching his Hudl film (linked). Built like a linebacker, runs like a truck, and throws like Steve McNair, Wilson was a beast for Florida’s Pine Forest High School (Pensacola). After redshirting with West Florida, the former Class of 2023 quarterback is entering the transfer portal.
Last we saw Wilson (6-3, 220) romping on Florida high school competition, the three-star threw for 1,615 yards with 16 scores off 91 completions while rushing for 758 yards off 113 totes with 14 trips into the end zone.
The junior campaign against 6A competition had the Eagles flying to a 12-2 record with a knockout drag down playoff fight against Jesuit (35-29). Asked to do much the same, as a junior Wilson threw for 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 1,102 yards posting 20 more scores on the big board.
Asked about making the move from high school to college, the little and big differences, Wilson replied, “The speed and the talent level; everyone is talented. It is not like playing against people just learning to play football. It made me change the way I was playing from high school to grown man football – real football.”
Operating a Spread in the Argonauts’ offense, Wilson spoke about how his game improved over the last two seasons, “My mechanics, my footwork, I improved a lot on my accuracy, and my play in the pocket. At West Florida, my biggest improvements were my accuracy, speed on the field, mechanics, and leadership.
“Practicing every day against one of the best defenses in D-II football, that showed me everything is faster. Windows were closing in a blink of an eye. Being on time and trusting your reads are important.
“Knowing where the pressure is coming from, that is where I am going with the ball. Where I feel that pressure, there is one less defender there; things like that I learned. I learned a lot about coverages, cloud defense, bracket plays, and things like that. I learned a lot.”
Getting ready for his next opportunity, Wilson is hard at work this spring.
“I am working out every day getting my arm strength stronger, getting my legs stronger, and working on my speed,” Wilson said. “Speed, that is what you need in football. I am working on strength, speed, and now I am working on weight management; my weight goes up and down quickly.”
Wilson continued, “I am working with Kendrick Johnson, that is my high school QB coach, and coach Lorenzo, he owns Fit in Pensacola. Coach Ken is working with me on whole shooting, reading the field, my progressions, and being the best I can be. Mr. Lorenzo is working on my speed and quads and getting stronger overall.”
Going into the portal, coaches remember Wilson’s talents with Pine Forest.
“A lot of schools are showing interest,” Wilson shared. “Coaches are hitting me up. Nicholls State, I am going to their spring game next week. I have talked to one of the analysts at Mercer as well.”
The trip to Thibodaux to see the Colonels in action was previewed.
“A couple of teammates from high school play there, my running back and defensive lineman,” Wilson said. “Working with my running back, we’d be a great duo again. Our chemistry is unstoppable on the field. I can see myself being the best version of me playing with my high school teammates.”
The next opportunity Wilson takes, his focus and ideas on what he wants are clear.
“I am willing to do whatever coaches needed, and I am ready to play wherever,” Wilson stated.
Photo credit: Pine Forest/Wilson family – TJ Wilson