De'Runnya Wilson in no rush to leave MSU for the NFL

Michael Bonner | The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE - De’Runnya Wilson’s dream of an NFL career began with Keyshawn Johnson. As a child, Mississippi State’s junior wide receiver watched Johnson with the ambition of becoming like his idol one day.

After three years in Starkville, Wilson has the opportunity to pursue that dream and enter the NFL Draft.

“I just want to win this football game,” Wilson said, referring to the Belk Bowl on Dec. 30. “NFL stands for ‘Not for Long.’ It’s not going anywhere.”

The 6-foot-5 wide receiver grades as a second- to third-round pick, according to CBS Sports. Wilson said he didn’t request an NFL draft evaluation. Teams can file up to five draft grades for its underclassmen.

So far linebacker Beniquez Brown, defensive lineman Chris Jones and center Jamaal Cayborn are the only Bulldogs to request information from the league. Wilson will wait until after the bowl game to make his decision.

“I didn’t even put in a draft grade. I’m just focused on the game right now,” Wilson said. “Just take it one day at a time. I just really want to win in Charlotte and get that Belk Bowl trophy.”

Wilson received information from NFL scouts through grad assistants, though. Agents have told Wilson, through others, they believe Wilson is ready for the next level. The junior also watches football on Sundays comparing his skills to those on the television.

He mimicked Johnson growing up. In college, Wilson used Detroit Lion all-pro Calvin Johnson as the standard at which he wanted to play.

“Just having that idea of bigger guys at the receiver position and some of the things they did to help their ability to get better,” Wilson said.

Three seasons ago, Wilson joined Mississippi State as a raw-talented basketball player. Formerly a Mr. Basketball in Alabama, Wilson impressed immediately in the fall of 2013.

He flirted with the idea of adding basketball to his repertoire at Mississippi State for a couple years.

Once his talent on the gridiron began to surface, he dropped basketball.

“I just want to be the best man at the receiver position out there going against any defender one-on-one,” Wilson said.

He ended 2015 with 822 yards and 55 receptions. His nine touchdowns are tied for second in a single season at Mississippi State.

Through three seasons, his 128 receptions are fifth in program history. They have gone for 1,853 yards, sixth all-time, and 21 touchdowns, second most of any MSU receiver.

“Any opportunity I receive, I’m going to take well advantage of it,” Wilson said. “…I was blessed to be a college athlete. I just want to cherish those moments each and every day.”

Mississippi State fans are guaranteed to see Wilson wear the maroon and white on Dec. 30. Beyond the Belk Bowl is yet to be determined.

“Being a 6-5 body frame, I guess that’s what the top guys look for,” Wilson said. “That don’t mean I still don’t have to work. I have to have separation in my route. The main thing is just getting better in my techniques. That’s going to carry me a long way.”

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.