The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson plans on taking full advantage. Wilson recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Wilson also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his abilities as a route-runner, winning a National Championship, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Wilson better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Has the National Championship feeling worn off yet? What an incredible season for you and your teammates.
Roman Wilson: I have a weird connection with the National Championship (laughs). Going into that game, I was very confident that me and my teammates were going to pull out a victory. For me, I got really emotional before the game, before everything happened. We’re going to go out there and give it everything we have.
I was aware that at least 20 key people and players associated with The University of Michigan won’t be with the team next year. We had to go out there and give it our everything. Everything we’ve done for the past four years has built up to that moment. After the game, it’s gone.
I’m happy that we won. I’m happy that I decided to attend Michigan. Those things are going to stay with me for the rest of my life. That part of my life is over now. I’ve moved on and I’m working toward something else now. It’s great to have that [National Championship] experience in my back pocket.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Roman Wilson: Before the season even started, I had a pretty good feeling that I’d receive my invite. Jim Nagy has always had an outstanding relationship with The University of Michigan. Knowing that I’m getting the opportunity to compete against some of the best seniors in the nation is a huge blessing.
A lot of the prospects in attendance have been overlooked. We’re all very hungry to prove our worth to all 32 franchises. It’s a great honor. It’s my great pleasure to be taking part in this year’s Senior Bowl.
JM: You kind of answered this, but I’d love a peek into what motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer given the incredible season you enjoyed.
Roman Wilson: I just love to compete. I want to prove to the world that I’m capable of playing at a high level. It’s another opportunity for me to show every NFL scout and decision-maker what Roman Wilson is all about. Some of the best prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft are going to be in Mobile.
It’s not every day that we all get together on the same field to compete with one another. I’m going to line up across from some of the defensive backs in this draft and we’re gonna go toe to toe. I relish the opportunity.
It’s not even about getting recruited or getting scouted. This is an opportunity for me to compete against some amazing players. We’re all looking forward to it. I have an opportunity to separate myself from them.
JM: Getting a bit more specific, what are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Roman Wilson: I’m just looking to prove that I’m the ultimate competitor, somebody that can serve as a playmaker and difference-maker for an NFL team moving forward. I can get open and defeat one-on-one coverage. I want to prove that I can make plays on the ball. That’s the big thing for me. When the ball gets thrown my way, I’m going to make something special happen.
JM: How would you write your own scouting report? Describe your skill set in your own words.
Roman Wilson: I’m a dynamic and athletic player who’s willing to be physical and do whatever he needs to help a team win. I’m a guy with a lot of grit and a lot of integrity. I’m willing to play any role on offense. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I just want to win football games.
JM: Does Roman Wilson have a favorite route to run?
Roman Wilson: At the beginning of the season, I really loved running those post routes. I really like running that post route. Right now, I’m really feeling those dig routes and in breakers. I’m going to throw you a curveball I just thought about. My favorite route is probably an out route.
JM: Why the out route?
Roman Wilson: I feel like I can run that many different ways. I can take it inside or outside. I can sell it deep. To run an out route at an elite level, you have to have a quick burst and take good angles. Those are some of the things I’m really good at. I’m really good at bursting out of my routes. I’m very good at reducing back to the ball and making sideline catches. I just love running that out route. No matter where the quarterback puts it, I have a good chance of coming down with it.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL receiver, who would you choose and why?
Roman Wilson: That’s a tough question. A lot of people like to think of me as a deep threat, a burner if you will. I feel like I have flashes of DeSean Jackson a little bit. I’ve been focusing more on guys like Hunter Renfrow and Puka Nacua lately. Especially Nacua, a guy who came into the league and hit the ground running.
I watched a lot of Tyler Lockett tape with the Michigan coaching staff this season. I’d have to put a point on Tyler Lockett. I’m like a Tyler Lockett who can also take the top off the defense.
JM: You took a huge step forward this season, recording career-highs in receptions (48), receiving yards (789), and touchdowns (12). What changed for Roman Wilson in 2023?
Roman Wilson: I was a more well-rounded player this season. The game came more naturally to me. That’s the way progress has to be achieved. Playing football comes naturally to me.
Learning about football, learning about defenses and routes, learning about where to be in open space, learning how to control my speed, when to use it and when not to use it, I really feel like all of that helped me achieve my goals throughout the season.
I learned more about defensive back play and how they wanted to defend me. I really got into the intricacies of football that a regular person probably doesn’t think about. I paid close attention to techniques and the finer details. I learned how to use those things to my advantage, how I can use them to beat the man lined up across from me.
I realize that now as an older college football player. Hey, you have this toolbag at your disposal. Use it. Don't stick to one thing. Don’t do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. I had to explore my toolbag. I had to learn how to perfect my craft. I’m still learning. That’s what brought change for me in 2023.
JM: 12 touchdowns on 48 catches is crazy efficiency. What is it about your game that allows you to find the end zone so often?
Roman Wilson: That’s another thing that changed a lot for me over these past few years. Most of my touchdowns came from the scramble drill. I had to learn how to keep going. I never give up on a play. I always pour all of my effort into that scramble drill. Some receivers think the play is over when things fall apart. Just keep going.
Whatever opportunity you get, especially in our offense, you might only get one chance per game. You have to make the most of it. I made the most of every chance I got.
JM: You sure did. What’s on Roman Wilson’s pre-game playlist?
Roman Wilson: When I was younger, I listened to a lot of rap music. I’m a lot more laid back and chill nowadays than I used to be. I might put on some slow beats. I like to listen to the piano. I like Beethoven. I like chill, laid-back music. You don’t want to see my pregame playlist (laughs). You’re going to think I’m a weirdo! There’s less rap nowadays and more slow songs.
JM: I don’t think you’re a weirdo! I happen to think you’re one hell of a football player. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Roman Wilson?
Roman Wilson: It means I went out there and competed to the best of my ability. A successful Senior Bowl means I won the majority of my one-on-one reps and strung together a couple of great practice sessions.
I’m going to enjoy the process. I’m not going to get caught up in the outside noise and whatever else is going on. I’m going to connect with some guys I haven’t seen in a long time.
A successful Senior Bowl means I had a great time. I’m going to attack the process. I’m looking forward to everything that follows.
