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BYU linebacker Josh Wilson tries to get past a block during spring camp in Provo on March 21, 2022.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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BYU defensive players — including Josh Wilson (center) — pose for a photo during spring camp in Provo on March 31, 2022.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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BYU defensive players — including Josh Wilson (far left) — pose for a photo during spring camp in Provo on March 7, 2022.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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April of 2021 was an insane time for the Wilson family, since former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson was one of the highly-touted quarterbacks preparing for the NFL draft.

Fast forward a year and things are a little different.

Wilson is certainly looking to take a big step forward as he prepares for his second season with the New York Jets, but his family can focus on other things.

“There was a lot going on last year,” Cougar sophomore linebacker Josh Wilson said during the final week of spring camp in March. “My brother’s been all over the place. He’s been here a lot. He’s been hanging out with me. But I’ve got a younger brother (Micah Wilson) who is joining the team and I’m really close to him. But my family is just chilling right now.”

Josh Wilson came to BYU after having an extremely successful high school career at Corner Canyon (just like his brother Zach Wilson did) but has had to work hard to get on the field during the past two years.

“You come in and you’re kind of nervous,” Josh Wilson said. “But then you kind of just start playing and you’re like, ‘wait, this is this is what I came here to do — and I’m good at it.’ You realize that you can compete with these guys. I think coming in, it was weird at first just because I didn’t know the plays.”

As his knowledge has grown, so has his confidence in both himself and his teammates.

“Being here for two seasons now, you just kind of get comfortable,” Josh Wilson said. “Everything starts to warm up. I think I’ve improved a lot and it’s kind of just focusing on the little things now. It’s been really good.”

The sophomore has officially played in 16 games in two years, registering seven tackles and a pass breakup.

But the reality he (and everyone else on the Cougar defense) has to face is their is a lot of players coming back with experience and only so many snaps to go around.

“There is a lot of competition but it’s kind of nice,” Josh Wilson said. “A lot of the guys are going to be able to learn from the older guys. They can teach and help them develop before they leave. I think we’ll have a strong group.”

Josh Wilson smiled and shook his head when he talked about the unique age reversal he is experienceing that isn’t uncommon at BYU.

“It’s really weird,” Josh Wilson said. “I’m only 20-years-old, so we have guys come in off of missions (for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are older than I am — but they are where I was. I was that fresh body trying to get familiar with everything. It’s kind of nice to be the guys explaining the plays or picking them up when things don’t go as planned.”

He believes he is at a point where he is comfortable with the scheme, even though he has been playing a new role at the Flash linebacker position.

“I’m going with (head coach Kalani Sitake) and (graduate assistant Gavin Fowler) and it’s been awesome,” Josh Wilson said. “I’m with a few other guys like Max Tooley and Morgan Pyper. We’re competing but we’re having fun. We’re all brothers, so it hasn’t been too bad. We’re getting a lot of reps in our group.”

He knows that the next few months will be important as he and the rest of the Cougars use player-run practices and personal objectives to get ready for the season.

“I think the key is just keep improving with the small stuff,” Josh Wilson said. “Now that I’ve got the playbook down, I feel more confident. I’m going to work on speed and getting bigger obviously. This summer I’m putting on some weight. It’s just a lot of small stuff and finally just feeling comfortable, and I think it’ll be a good year.”

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