OTTAWA-When the 2008 IBAF 18U World Championships ended in Edmonton graduating members of Team Canada went their separate ways to continue their baseball careers at either the collegiate or professional level.
First baseman Luke Willson (LaSalle, ON) went off to Rice University in Texas, but unlike his Canadian teammates, he went there to play football instead of baseball.
Today, after four seasons as a Tight End with the Rice Owls football team, Willson was selected in the National Football League Draft when the Seattle Seahawks took him in the fifth round (158th overall).
“I was getting a little anxious a little nervous,” said Willson on a conference call moments after he was selected. “I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders.”
After a redshirt Sophomore year, Willson had a breakout year in 2010 when he led the Owls in receiving with 425 yards which put him on the Mackey Award watch list as one of the NCAA’s top tight ends.
His 2011 season included being a second-team Conference USA selection after a season where he was second on the Owls with 313 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Willson’s senior year was not how he planned it as he was limited to just nine games after injuries cut his season short.
“It was really tough, especially being a senior and leader on the team,” said Willson of being forced to watch from the sidelines. “It was kind of a helpless feeling.”
After the season ended, Willson caught the eye of many NFL scouts in workouts as the 6”5’ 252 pounder registered testing results that were on par with some of the top Tight Ends available in the draft.
He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at a Rice pro day which is speed that is normally associated with a defensive back or wide receiver. Many teams took notice including the Seahawks.
“I had a private workout with the Seahawks about two or three weeks ago,” added Willson “Every coach I talked to today said I’m supposed to come in there and compete and that’s what I intend on doing.”
Although Willson last played an organized baseball game at the 18U World Championship in 2008, he was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 and spent time in extended spring training at their minor league facility in Dunedin before focussing solely on football for the 2012 season.
“I really enjoyed (baseball), I love playing and signed with the Blue Jays for one summer, but football has always been my love,” explained Willson.
Willson will be put to the test quick with mini-camp in Seattle before the Seahawks main training camp gets underway in July.
“I’m going to go in there and compete and work hard. I feel that if I go in with that mindset that things will work out for me.”
.jpeg)
