Catching the ball to get a game-saving interception after perfectly reading the quarterback’s eyes, senior Nathan Wilson celebrates his pick with the team, knowing it’s not his last.

“It felt like there was no opportunity to play if I stayed at QB,” Wilson said. “I know I can make a play no matter where I am on the field, and it’s great to make the plays I know I can do at safety.”

Wilson started the season as a second-string quarterback, but with confidence from coaches like Defensive Back Coach Detrion Taylor, a smooth transition to safety followed for Wilson.

“As a coach I feel my job is to find the best 11 kids to field every play, and Nate was one of those guys,” Coach Taylor said. “Nate brings leadership to this defense and I can see the team really looks up to him and gains confidence from his ability.”

As a former quarterback, the knowledge of how the common quarterback thinks comes in favor for Wilson, he sees this as an advantage for his skills in the back field to be at his best.

“It’s easier to read plays for sure after knowing most of them from my experience,” Wilson said. “I’ve seen it all and there’s more opportunities now for me to make a name for myself with these explosive plays.”

The change in position wasn’t something that happened quickly as Coach Taylor states, it’s actually visualized within the works for a long time.

“I’ve been thinking about this since the spring,” Coach Taylor said. “I trust Nate as a person to be good. I feel through him also doing track we developed a relationship on a different level and I’m happy to continue teaching him how to properly play safety.”

Wilson’s a dominant force on defense, with two interceptions, leading the team in that category, showing his physical ability, being the guy the defense looks up to.

“Being at safety has helped me improve a lot as a football player,” Wilson said. “My athletic ability can be used anywhere on the field so being able to make these plays feels great, and I hope to continue in this way.”