Wilson likes to stay on the field

He is regarded as one of the top high school linebackers in the Tampa Bay area, and he recently competed in an event featuring a collection of standout players, some of whom are said to be among the nation's best.

It's exactly the type of situation in which Jefferson High's Ramik Wilson believes he belongs.

A month into the 2009 season, however, things were different. The Dragons' player wasn't even a starter on his own team's defensive unit. Wilson still scratches his head about that.

"It was tough," Wilson said. "I was going crazy."

The fact that Wilson didn't trot out with the starting unit during the first five games last season is a bit misleading, said Jefferson Coach Mike Fenton.

Wilson primarily was an offensive player before last season began and had a big role in Jefferson's high-powered attack as the starting tight end. Because he was considered one of the most gifted athletes on the team and was an overwhelming physical presence, Wilson was being worked into a defensive role. Coaches were bouncing him around to different positions to find the best spot in which to use him, but Wilson still saw ample time on defense, Fenton said.

The coach, however, could understand why Wilson was unhappy and confused. Wilson is a competitor. He wants to be on the field every play. Anything less is unacceptable for the standards he places upon himself.

Things ended positively, however. After Wilson showed he could be an every-down force on both sides of the ball, he got what he wanted.

"He doesn't come off the field now," Fenton said.

Wilson's monster 2009 season included 82 tackles and a team-best nine sacks on defense, and 19 receptions for 293 yards and a touchdown on offense. That prowess enhanced his likelihood of playing football at the collegiate level. A strong showing in a spring jamboree victory over Plant High, which included a 75-yard touchdown reception, also bolstered his growing reputation.

"Every week a new school pops up, and I'm like, 'Dang,' " said Wilson, who has received scholarship offers from Division I programs including Purdue, Minnesota, Rutgers, Texas Tech, Arkansas and Illinois. "I didn't think it would get this big."

The increased attention also led to an invitation to the Gridiron Kings 7-on-7 tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista last week. The event, part of the ESPN RISE Games, included several of the nation's top high school prospects, giving Wilson a chance to shine among his peers.

The 6-foot-3, 228-pounder represented the Southeast squad, which captured the championship. Playing exclusively at linebacker, he helped the Southeast post shutouts in its final three games - the Southeast squad beat the Southwest team 36-0 in the championship game - and scored one touchdown on an interception return.

"I think I made a statement," Wilson said.

At least one national pundit agreed.

"I think Ramik was able to establish himself as one of the top linebackers in the Southeast after this weekend," Corey Long of ESPN.com Recruiting wrote in an e-mail.

Wilson will get a chance to build upon that billing this season with the Dragons, who enter 2010 with state-title aspirations and are a legitimate threat to win the Class 3A crown. Fenton believes Wilson's biggest impact this season will be made on the Jefferson defense.

But when the Dragons offense trots onto the field, expect to see Wilson with that group, too. As Fenton said, Wilson doesn't come off the field now.

And that's fine with Wilson. "I'm confident, and I'm a hard worker," Wilson said, "so I know I can get it done."