Before Mack Wilson ever appeared at fullback in a game, Alabama's freshman linebacker shared with his mentor, Todd Dowell, that he was working some at fullback in practice.

Dowell remembers responding jokingly, "Man, you ain't going to block nobody."

Wilson answered back, "OK. You'll see. I'm going to knock me somebody out."

That's exactly what he did against Western Kentucky Sept. 10.

It was Wilson's first snap at fullback in an actual game, a third-and-goal play from the 2-yard line. Leading the way for running back Bo Scarbrough on a run up the middle, Wilson looked like Vonta Leach as he delivered a crushing block that knocked a Western Kentucky linebacker onto his back. That created a big opening for Scarbrough, who ran into the end zone untouched.

After the game, Wilson said to Dowell, "I told you..."

Most freshmen struggle to get on the field at their natural position, especially at a school like Alabama.

Wilson is unique.

The five-star recruit from Montgomery continues to grow at his natural position, linebacker. He is also contributing at fullback and on Alabama's kickoff coverage team while also working as a reserve long snapper and punter.

Yes, long snapper and punter.

Wilson is out early each day for practice working with the specialists before going through normal practice with his offensive and defensive teammates.

If you want to see Wilson punt, pay attention to Alabama's pregame warmups. You'll see big No. 30 out there punting alongside starting punter JK Scott.

"He's definitely versatile," Tide star defensive lineman Jonathan Allen said of the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Wilson, the No. 2 outside linebacker and No. 15 overall prospect in this year's recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. "He plays offense, defense, can long snap, punt, so he's definitely a dynamic player. I am excited to see how he progresses throughout the next couple of years."

Most importantly, Wilson continues to improve at his natural position, enough that he is a third-team inside linebacker ahead of players like 2015 four-star recruit Joshua McMillon and fellow five-star freshman Ben Davis.

Wilson would probably already be starting at inside linebacker at most other schools around the country, but most other schools don't have Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans.

His one tackle on defense came during Alabama's 48-0 win over Kent State Sept. 24. Wilson stopped a Kent State running back after a gain of just one yard late in the third quarter.

"I think Mack has grown tremendously," Dowell said of Wilson, who posted 201 tackles, 14 sacks and nine forced fumbles during his final two years at Montgomery-Carver despite playing through a torn labrum in his shoulder that wasn't discovered or repaired until May. "When he first got to Alabama, he wasn't sure how quickly he was going to pick up on things, and it's been surprising that Mack has been able to learn the defense as fast as he has. When he first started, it was like, 'Man, I really don't get this. It will probably take me a year or whatever.' Now, I'm not saying he's learned everything, but he's actually picking up on it and comprehending and learning more of the defense."

The three big highlights for Wilson thus far? A fumble recovery on special teams during the Tide's win over then-No. 16 Arkansas on Saturday and two at fullback -- the block against Western Kentucky and a 1-yard touchdown catch against Kent State.

On a rollout to the right, Jalen Hurts attempted to throw to tight end O.J. Howard in the back of the end zone. However, Wilson was running a route in the same direction in front of Howard.

Thinking Hurts' pass was intended for him, Wilson stopped, reached back and made an acrobatic, juggling catch as he fell to the ground.

Jalen Hurts with a touchdown pass to freshman linebacker/fullback Mack Wilson pic.twitter.com/jaW2mD9W6Y — Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 24, 2016

Hamilton, a close friend, said he later joked with Wilson, "It's crazy that you scored a touchdown before you even made some tackles for real."

"I'm praying and hoping that I step foot in the end zone one day before I leave here," Hamilton said. "He's got me beat on that already."