If you spent 10 minutes with Dontre Wilson at Ohio State Media Day Sunday, you probably heard the senior answer questions about his health, how he fits into his team's offensive plan this season, his health, how he can contribute as a returner and — you guessed it — his health.
Wilson is likely tired of talking about it but if he is he doesn't show it. The quick-footed burner from Texas will answer your question about the foot injury that caused him to miss the back third of Ohio State's national title run in 2014 and the bulk of his junior season with a straight face.
The one-time prized recruit is ready to move on from the hindrance, counting the days before his final season as a Buckeye commences.
"I’m good. I love it, man. It’s been a long time coming," Wilson said. "I just hope that I stay like that and the football is going to take care of itself."
“I put in the work for him to trust me and put me in all those positions now.”– Dontre Wilson on Urban Meyer
Wilson is more mature now compared to the 18-year-old that arrived on campus in July 2013. Father to a boy named D'Neko, he burst on the scene as a featured part of Ohio State's offense and special teams because of his speed. He finished his freshman year with 31 rushes for 250 yards and a touchdown, 22 catches for 210 yards and two more scores plus a team-leading 523 yards on kick returns.
Still, Wilson's touches faded late in the year because he didn't pose a threat as a blocker due to his 5-10, 175-pound frame. Urban Meyer labeled him as a "hood ornament" — really with only one capable use, on sprints to the outside.
He started out quickly in 2014, catching passes and taking sweeps against Navy and even scoring a touchdown on a 71-yard receiving day against Cincinnati. Then he broke his foot against Michigan State and things haven't been the same since.
Wilson feels he is finally past that now, however.
"I definitely feel like I'm over it. I've been doing a lot of treatment over the past two years on it," Wilson said. "Went to Oregon, got some custom-made cleats from Nike. I feel like that will help as well."
It should, though foot injuries linger if not allowed to heal properly. Wilson plans to be heavily featured in the offense this season at anywhere from returner, running back to H-back.
"Whatever Coach Meyer asks me, I'm going to do," he said.
One of six seniors on an incredibly young roster, Ohio State will look to Wilson for more than leadership. He needs to touch the ball and produce, but above all, stay healthy.
"His body's gotta maintain," Meyer said Aug. 7. "It's a tough sport. His heart is always into it, just with a broken foot, you can't control that."
Even the head coach is anxious to see what a fully healthy, 198-pound Wilson can do. Wilson plays incredibly hard and took the necessary steps to be in position to contribute this year.
A much lighter Wilson at Purdue in November 2013.
"I put in the work for him to trust me and put me in all those positions now," Wilson said.
And with so much offensive production gone to the NFL, Meyer said Wilson and Curtis Samuel should be featured even more in the offense in 2016.
"Whether it’s me and Dontre, or whoever is in the backfield, we’ve both got heart to run through the middle of the line," Samuel said Sunday. "Defenses can’t just say, ‘Oh, he’s the inside runner and he’s the outside runner.’ We both run hard and we both can do it."
Added Wilson: "I feel like Coach Meyer is doing (that) because me and (Samuel), I’ll say are the two best athletes on the offensive side, so I feel like he needs us to make a lot of those plays. He doesn’t need us to come off the field so I’m with it. At the point I’m at right now, whatever he asks me to do I’m going to do it. Whether it’s me on special teams, punt return, kick return, running back, receiver, I’m down to do it."
Meyer expects Wilson to hold onto the top returner position once camp closes up next week and preparations for the opener against Bowling Green Sept. 3 begin. With one final shot to live up to the expectations everyone from Meyer to Braxton Miller set in place for him as a true freshman and to have a prayer at making it at the next level in order to provide for his son, you could say Wilson fully embodies the motto the team put on T-shirts: #HowSheGoneEat.
"You came here to chase your dream, go to the NFL you got the opportunity," Wilson said. "So make the best out of it."
