Once upon a time, James Wilson was considered one of the biggest, baddest offensive linemen in the country.
When Wilson arrived at UF in 2007, recruiting analysts had him ranked as the top guard prospect coming out of high school. Any high school. They projected him to do in college what he did in high school at Jacksonville Nease: open holes wide enough to drive a car through.
As a junior at Nease in 2005, Wilson cleared space for quarterback Tim Tebow as Tebow led the team to a state championship.
The story was to be continued at UF. However, as Tebow won a Heisman in 2007 and led the Gators to a national title in 2008, Wilson's career began to stall as he adjusted to college.
And then a knee injury set him back on and off the field in 2010. By the time Will Muschamp took over the program last year, Wilson was more of an afterthought than potential man mover.
"The first part of camp he was on an exercise bike,'' Muschamp said. "We had to get him back in shape. We had to be able to get him in a functional way to play football."
Wilson got in shape, developed a new attitude and by the end of the season was in the starting lineup.
Unfulfilled by his UF career, Wilson petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility due to missing the majority of the 2010 season due to an injury.
Wilson was granted the additional season and is focused on a strong finish.
"You can't get it back,'' Wilson said. "Not many people can play football at UF, and I kind of took that in. I'm just trying to take advantage of that."
Wilson has played in 38 games in his UF career but has not been the wrecking ball he was in high school. With the Gators turning to a power-running game this season, the 6-foot-4, 323-pound Wilson could be a key part of the puzzle along the offensive line if he stays healthy.
"He did a really good job the latter part of the season,'' Muschamp said.
Wilson said he was re-energized after working all season to get in shape and get back on the field. And like his former quarterback in high school, Wilson has NFL dreams.
"I've been here a long time and seen a lot,'' he said. "After how last season worked out for me, I knew I wanted to get a sixth year. I had to prove to the coaches and my teammates that I could still play."
Wilson is projected as the starter at left guard. That's a much better start to fall camp than that exercise bike a year ago.
