Penn State’s secondary looks like it’s in pretty good hands.
Fans have gotten glimpses of the unit’s future, with Marquis Wilson stepping up when he gets opportunities.
“[I’ve] been very pleased with our young corners,” James Franklin said. “We’ve had some bumps and bruises there where we’ve had to go deep in our depth. I think those guys have done well.”
Wilson is coming off of a breakout performance against Michigan State where he recorded an interception and five tackles.
Some may look at that game as a confidence booster for him, but it’s hard for him to be even more confident than what he already is.
“There may not be anybody more confident than Marquis,” Franklin said. “He thinks when the ball is in the air, it is his, every time.”
That level of confidence wasn’t something that had to grow over the course of the year, because he already had it.
“I think [Wilson’s] just a naturally confident guy,” cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields said. “I don’t think he learned it here. He’s always been confident in his game and it’s just who he is as a person.”
Castro-Fields has seen him grow first-hand, so when he made the big play two weeks ago, he was obviously happy for him.
“That’s my little man,” cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields said. “I saw him come in as a freshman, so I was super excited.”
The strong play of Wilson caught some of the coaching staff by surprise, because they didn’t even think he would be playing.
The Windsor, Connecticut, native was expected to sit out of the year, but due to injuries and his success on the field, he keeps playing.
“Marquis was a guy who would come up about redshirting early on,” Franklin said. “And he just has continued to get better and better and better and build confidence and build trust with the coaches.”
Written by: Dylan Jacobs