KSTP: Chiefs LB Damien Wilson: 'Going to the U was the best decision I've ever made'

[BleedGopher]

per KSTP:

Former Gophers linebacker Damien Wilson chose to sign with Kansas City a year ago, and now he's a Super Bowl champion. But he says the best decision he's ever made was to be a Gopher. He committed to the Gophers December 2012 over Kansas, Memphis, and other programs.

Our Darren 'Doogie' Wolfson talked with Wilson about winning the Super Bowl, his decision to leave Dallas for Kansas City, his time with the Gophers, and more.

Wilson played at Minnesota from 2013-14 after transferring from Jones Community College and made 197 tackles in 26 games. In 2014, he led the Gophers in tackles (119), tackles for loss (10.5) and tied for the team lead in sacks (4.0).

Former head coach Jerry Kill and former defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys helped him turn into a fourth round pick in the 2015 Draft. The Cowboys took him, and Wilson played four seasons for them. Dallas tried to bring him back in free agency March 2019, but Kansas City's two year offer worth approximately $5.75M ultimately won out.

In WIlson's first year with the Chiefs, he played a career-high 715 defensive snaps, resulting in career-best marks for tackles (81) and sacks (1.5).

Chiefs LB Damien Wilson: 'Going to the U was the best decision I've ever made'

Former Gophers linebacker Damien Wilson chose to sign with Kansas City a year ago, and now he's a Super Bowl champion. But he says the best decision he's ever made was to be a Gopher...

kstp.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Word]

Had some nice linebackers the last several years that have made it to the NFL.
Wilson, Campbell, Cashman, Coughlin?, Martin?

 

[#2Gopher]

Numbers are clearly going to jump as to players going to the NFL in the next few years.

 

[KoolAid]

This probably isn't the place for this, but theres no need to start another thread

So man, watching this game (a complete dismantling of a mediocre Michigan team at Michigan), I'm reminded how good that 2014 team was. They go 8-5 on the season. Two of their losses are to arguably the 2 best teams in the country (National champs OSU and a nasty TCU team that goes 12-1). We lose at Wisconsin (no shocker). We lose to a pretty good Missouri team in a bowl game (bowl games are a coin-flip). And then we have a weird loss to Illinois.

But the team was tough, physical and had a bunch of studs that went to the NFL. The defense is incredibly impressive.

That defensive backfield is absolutely nasty - Eric Murray, Myrick, Boddy-Calhoun, Antonio Johnson and Demarius Travis. You forget how good Demarius was...that kid was awesome

Your LB's? Campbell, Wilson and Jack Lynn.

Beefy D-Line with Cochran having his big year. You've also got the Ekpe brothers, a Frosh Steve Richardson and a senior Cameron Botticelli.

Offensively, we could run the ball and throw to Maxx. David Cobb has to be our best back since Maroney. The fact that defenders knew what we were going to do and he still went on to set the single season rushing record is quite impressive

Anyways, Go Gophers!

 

[salzie]

This probably isn't the place for this, but theres no need to start another thread

So man, watching this game (a complete dismantling of a mediocre Michigan team at Michigan), I'm reminded how good that 2014 team was. They go 8-5 on the season. Two of their losses are to arguably the 2 best teams in the country (National champs OSU and a nasty TCU team that goes 12-1). We lose at Wisconsin (no shocker). We lose to a pretty good Missouri team in a bowl game (bowl games are a coin-flip). And then we have a weird loss to Illinois.

But the team was tough, physical and had a bunch of studs that went to the NFL. The defense is incredibly impressive.

That defensive backfield is absolutely nasty - Eric Murray, Myrick, Boddy-Calhoun, Antonio Johnson and Demarius Travis. You forget how good Demarius was...that kid was awesome

Your LB's? Campbell, Wilson and Jack Lynn.

Beefy D-Line with Cochran having his big year. You've also got the Ekpe brothers, a Frosh Steve Richardson and a senior Cameron Botticelli.

Offensively, we could run the ball and throw to Maxx. David Cobb has to be our best back since Maroney. The fact that defenders knew what we were going to do and he still went on to set the single season rushing record is quite impressive

Anyways, Go Gophers!

Was a fun season. I don't miss Max protect roll out three yard pass to FB in flat though

 

[WindyCityGopher]

Me too. Impacted my life in so many positive ways.