Despite size, USC’s Wilson holding down the middle

South Carolina starting middle linebacker Shaq Wilson doesn’t look anything like the part in the center of the field.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound sophomore is no where near prototypical size. Last year’s starting middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, now with the Minnesota Vikings, registered 6-2, 260 pounds.

However, Wilson is proving that size doesn’t matter by leading the team in tackles with 56.

“That’s understandable,” Wilson said about people questioning his size. “That’s their first impression of you. Obviously, if you’re making plays out there, they’ve got to look past it. It doesn’t bother me that much.”

Wilson is coming off his best game as a Gamecock in which he collected a career-high seven solo tackles and 12 total against Vanderbilt last week. On the year, he’s intercepted one pass, broken up another and recorded two tackles for a loss in six starts.

“He’s got heart,” USC receiver Moe Brown said. “He definitely plays the position. He plays full speed every down. I can understand people that look at him and don’t know him as a person like I do and know what type of player he is. That can be kind of shocking, but he’s proved that he can play.

“If a lot of players played like him we’d definitely have a great team because he plays with a lot of heart.”

Being a smaller guy playing a big man’s position is nothing new to Wilson, who said he hasn’t been the biggest kid on the field since he was 7 years old.

A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Wilson grew up pulling for coach Steve Spurrier when he was at Florida.

Wilson got the chance to play for the Head Ball Coach and signed with USC as the 26th-best outside linebacker in the nation, according to Rivals.com.

He said he came in as a “tweener,” not really sure if he would settle in at linebacker or be moved to safety. Wanting to stay at his natural position, Wilson said he’s tried to make his mark by working harder and being smarter than his teammates.

“I’ve just tried to gain weight and do everything the coaches have told me, learn the system,” he said. “It’s starting to come together.”

He recorded 16 tackles last season, playing on special teams and some at linebacker in all 13 of USC’s games.

He was listed as the outside linebacker behind all-SEC star Eric Norwood when this year began, but when starter Rodney Paulk went down with a season-ending knee injury in the opener against N.C. State, Wilson as asked to step into a major role. And he’s teammates have been impressed.

“Shaq Wilson is real big-impact player,” USC defensive end Clifton Geathers said. “He’s all over the field, always making tackles, making hits.”