Willowridge High School senior linebacker Royce Wilson’s name has begun to become increasingly recognized in recruiting circles. Once an unknown player with no rankings or interest from colleges, Wilson has now become a player to watch, showcasing a story of resilience and determination.
Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 215 pounds, Wilson entered his sophomore season with undeniable physical attributes. His speed to the ball, ability to cover the field, and sure tackling hinted at his potential, yet there was no recognition and he remained under the radar.
“I believe our team as a whole has been overlooked and overshadowed through the years,” said Wilson. “Other teams in our district seem to gain attention but we seem to lack that same attention. We just have to continue working and one day, it will pay off.”
By his junior season, Wilson had grown to 6’3 230 pounds. Wilson’s name was still not on recruiters’ lists, but his on-field performance spoke for itself. He was named second-team all-district at both tight end and defensive line. He benched 250 pounds, squatted 405 pounds, and ran a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. However, even with 63 tackles, 6 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss, no college offers materialized.
That changed when Wilson was invited to the U.S. Army Bowl showcase, a prestigious event where top players were given the opportunity to show their skills. Wilson made the most of the opportunity, and his standout performance put him on the radar of scouts. After the showcase, Texas Top Talent ranked him the #30 prospect in the state for the Class of 2025, marking his rise as one of the top linebackers in Texas.
“It felt great. There was a lot of love coming at me. All the hard work I put in was finally paying off. It really felt great,” said Wilson.
Shortly thereafter, college scouts began to take notice, and Wilson earned praise from recruiters, including Corey Johnson, a recruiting coordinator and linebacker coach from Jagcount Sports Recruiting.
Johnson remarked, “He was good. Utilized great technique and used his hands to redirect running backs and tight ends.”
Wilson’s performance earned him an honorable mention for the All-Combine team, further validating his abilities.
With his stock rising, Wilson started attending junior days at top programs, including the University of Texas, the University of Arkansas, and UTEP. Soon after, he received offers from East Tennessee State, Liberty University, Sam Houston, and Texas Southern University, but it was UTEP that caught Wilson’s attention.
“UTEP talked to me like I was already a part of the team,” said Wilson. “They treated me like family ever since I got the offer from them. I stepped on campus, and UTEP felt like home, whereas other schools just felt like another day. Coach Seth McDonald and the other coaching staff stayed in contact with me. In other schools, I never heard back from them after the initial conversation. So, UTEP was an easy choice for me.”
Determined to continue his upward trajectory, Wilson spent the summer training with the renowned “Footwork King” to improve his speed and physicality. His commitment to refining his game made him an even more formidable player.
In April of his junior year, Wilson committed to UTEP, seeing it as the perfect place to continue his football journey. His official offer from UTEP came in August, and he made his official visit to the campus in October.
“It was great. It was phenomenal. I really enjoyed it. The coaches were with me the whole time, checking up, making sure I had everything. It was all around a wonderful experience,” said Wilson.
Wilson’s journey from being overlooked and unranked to becoming one of Texas’ top linebacker prospects is a testament to his grit, perseverance, and dedication. With his senior season ahead of him and a bright future at UTEP, Wilson’s story is far from over.
About Royce Wilson:
Class: 2025
IG: @roycee2xx
Twitter: @Royce_Wilson10
Position: Outside linebacker, tight end
Height & weight: 6-feet-3, 230 pounds
Favorite artist: BigXthaplug, Rod Wave, Adele
Status: Committed to UTEP
Favorite subject: Science
Shout-outs: Tylon Rydolph, Setonji Adebodun, Aiden Narcisse, Cameron Beasley, Landen Cage, William Steward, Willis Steward
