For months, Russell Wilson insisted that height was not a factor in determining his ability to play in the NFL. On Friday, the Seattle Seahawks agreed.
Wilson, the former Wisconsin standout quarterback, was taken in the third round of the NFL draft with the 75th overall pick. Despite Wilson being 5-foot-11, which would make him the shortest quarterback in the NFL, the Seahawks took a chance by drafting him earlier than many pundits expected.
"This has been my perspective my whole entire life," Wilson said during an interview on Friday night's ESPN television broadcast. "My height doesn't define my skill set. I believe that I have all the skills. You have to work at it every day. I know that I'm 5-11. But I have to play tall in the pocket. I have to make accurate throws. I have to deliver the ball on time with arc and pace and play great football. Be great on third down. Be great in the red zone and do all the things that I can possibly do.
"One thing I can control is my work ethic. I can also control my knowledge of the game, how I study and how I get into the film room and how I try to just learn as much as I possibly can to give me that much more of an advantage."
In one season at Wisconsin, Wilson broke the single-season school record for passing yards (3,175), touchdowns (33) and pass efficiency rating (191.8). He guided the Badgers to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the Rose Bowl.
Wilson played for three years at North Carolina State before leaving for Wisconsin under the graduate transfer exception rule. He transitioned seamlessly from the Wolfpack's West Coast-style offense to the Badgers' pro-style offense, becoming a team captain after less than a month at Wisconsin.
Seattle appears to be a perfect fit for Wilson, who could eventually see playing time. The Seahawks already have quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson. Flynn, a former Green Bay Packers backup, signed in the offseason to a three-year, $26 million deal. Jackson will be in the final season of a two-year, $8 million contract.
The Seahawks also operate out of a West Coast-style offense, similar to the one Wilson played in at North Carolina State.
"I'm very familiar with it from playing at NC State," Wilson said. "I believe I have tremendous knowledge of it. I want to know it all. We talked about being on a quest for knowledge. I'll definitely be on that quest, and I can't wait to learn."
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