TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Last month at SEC Media Days, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said the Crimson Tide needs junior linebacker Mack Wilson to be the guy on its 2018 defense.

The coach’s comments traveled back to the hard-hitting linebacker, and if he was not already aware of the leadership role that is expected of him this season, it quickly became apparent.

“I was like, ‘Alright, it’s my defense. I’ve got to take control, I’ve got to be that alpha dog Coach Saban wants me to be,’” Wilson said at Alabama’s Saturday Media Day. “So, it’s just something I take full pride in because he doesn’t just say that about anybody, you know.

“It was Shaun Dion, it was Rashaan, it was Reuben, C.J., Dont'a, Rolando. It goes along the line, and those guys reached out to me and were like, ‘It’s your time, it’s your defense.’ It’s something I take full pride in and I’m going to make sure that all of us are on the same page and we play fast and I’ll get all the checks and calls for the whole defense.”

With Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans getting ready for their rookie years in the NFL, Wilson is now tasked with quarterbacking Alabama’s defense. Saban said as much in Atlanta, and the former 5-star recruit said he is taking everything he has learned from past signal callers for the Crimson Tide, especially Hamilton and Reuben Foster, and using it in the preseason

But that started long before Alabama reported for fall camp last week.

“He’s ready,” said Tracy Tyrome Varner of Madhouse Athletic Training, who has trained Wilson since age 13. “It’s his third year in the program. He’s been around great leaders. He’s been around Shaun Dion, he’s been around Minkah Fitzpatrick, he’s been around all of these guys in the program. Reuben Foster. So, I just expect to see him evolve into what Coach Saban wants him to be. … Some of that’s got to rub off, and I think it has. And I think he’ll be ready for it.”

Known for being active on social media, Wilson has not tweeted since May 28, and that tweet was a hype video announcing his upcoming hiatus from the outlet until September. “Bout that time of year again. Time to lock in and be great,” the beginning of the tweet said.

Bout that time of year again. Time to lock in and be great. This the year to make it known who you really are 3o. See y’all in September?? ROLLTIDE! ??????? #Dirty3o™? #FederalJuniorYear #No30dySafe????‍?? pic.twitter.com/SOl5E8wivl — Lyndell “Mack” Wilson (@iam__mw3o) May 29, 2018

Earlier in the month of May, Wilson was one of 14 Alabama veterans to attend a leadership trip to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., with strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran. Could it just be a coincidence that only a few weeks later Wilson eliminated a distraction from his daily schedule? It’s possible. But as minute as it may seem to some, it is an indication of evolution for a player that is treading into unknown waters in terms of off-the-field responsibilities.

“Despite what people think, Mack’s not a rah-rah guy,” Varner said. “You look at his social media and you’d think otherwise, but Mack is a guy who has always just gone out and played. He had Shaun Dion in high school, and then his junior year, Marlon Davidson, who’s at Auburn, Marlon was more of a vocal leader (Wilson)’s junior year. So, Mack has never really had to say, ‘I’m the leader of this.’ When he got to Alabama, he had Shaun Dion, he had Rashaan.

“He’s evolving into it.”

His body is also evolving, or improving.

Last year, Wilson suffered a foot injury the week leading up to Alabama’s 2017 opener against Florida State, and the cracked bone in his foot turned into a break during the LSU game, which sidelined the linebacker for only two games. Playing in 12 contests, Wilson led the team with four interceptions and totaled 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of pass breakups.

Now, he is as healthy as he has been since last preseason, and his explosiveness and ability to change direction has returned. The Montgomery, Ala., native also added about four pounds of muscle to his frame and recently weighed in at 239 pounds while standing at 6-foot-2.

His health and talent are there, now it is about taking that next step as UA’s alpha on defense.

Alabama LB Mack Wilson speaks to reporters at the Tide's annual Media Day.

“Physically, we’ve always known Mack could do literally anything,” Varner said. “I mean if you listen to Mack, he should go out there and compete with Jalen and Tua for the starting quarterback job. ... Mack can do anything. The next step is the mental part and the leadership part.”

Saban echoed that sentiment at SEC Media Days.

“He’s going to be the signal caller,” said the 12th-year Tide head coach of Wilson. “Very athletic, very good player. We don’t have any questions about his ability to do what he needs to do at his position to be successful, but how he affects other people is going to be critical.”

Alongside sophomore Dylan Moses, Wilson has led the inside linebackers and defense in two camp practices, and that will continue. Abandoning his former roles as backup punter and long snapper, the Carver (Ala.) High School product said, on the field, the pair is trying to learn the responsibilities of the rest of their defensive teammates in order to play even faster this fall.

It will also help him to better understand the defensive calls he is going to have to make.

“I feel like I’m ready for whatever,” Wilson said.

“It’s just another stepping stone for this upcoming season, which is getting everybody together, getting on the same page and me stepping up in that leadership role as the signal caller of the defense and just trying to go out and execute in every game.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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