Campus Sports Exclusive: Travis Wilson, Utah Utes

Utah is one of the PAC 12’s newest members, and while they haven’t made great strides in the conference, the Utes have been competitive from day one. Last season Utah started off 4-2, with two losses by a total of 10 points, but an injury to quarterback Travis Wilson pulled the emergency brake on their offense and the team finished with a 1-5 streak. The defense worked hard over that period, trying to keep games from getting out hand, but they couldn’t win games on their own.

Forrest West of Campus Sports recently interviewed Wilson, a junior quarterback who had inspired the the Utes to their fast start, but whose injury spoiled the latter half of his season and put his career in jeopardy. A CT scan after a concussion revealed a prior injury to a intracranial artery, and he has only recently been cleared to play. Wilson is a great leader who gets the most out of his teammates. The junior keeps the Utes competitive, as Stanford found out to their detriment last season (27-21 Utah win). He completed 56.1% of his passes for 1827 yards and 16 TDs last season, but also threw 16 interceptions. He also added 386 yards and five scores on the ground. Should he remain healthy this year, he could get the Utes back to a bowl game.

 

Travis talks more about it here.

 

Campus Sports – How are you feeling? It seemed to have been a rough start to the year for you with minor injuries?

Travis – I feel great [to be] back healthy [and] ready to play. I’m just happy to be back on the football field, doing what I love.

Campus Sports – Who do you model your game after or look up to?

Travis – I definitely look up to Blake Bortles and Tom Brady. I really like to watch them play. After Fourth of July camp at the Elite Eleven camp, I really modeled his game and like what he has accomplished.

 

Campus Sports – You are one of the tallest QBs in college football. In what ways do you use this to your advantage?

Travis – It’s a huge advantage being able to see over the offensive line. With taller linemen it is an advantage, easier time finding windows to throw through and having higher release is awesome.

 

Campus Sports – What did you improve on most during the offseason?

Travis – My body. I worked out a lot and very hard. Took this part of my offseason training extremely serious. I also worked on getting better chemistry with the receiving corps. We’ve already started clicking real well so far during camp.

 

Campus Sports – Heading into the year what are the team’s expectations and goals?

Travis – Obviously to win games, but we want to play with great excitement and great passion. I think we are going to shock people this year with how well we will play.

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