My Football Journey: Kyle Wilber
10/31/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2011
This article was originally published in the Oct. 15 edition of Kickoff, the official gameday magazine of Wake Forest football.
Q: When did you start playing football?
A: 1996 Zion Benton ZBs in Zion, Illinois. I was seven years old.
Q: What position did you play?
A: Safety. That was my first position.
Q: Any memories from that first year?
A: I was terrible. I remember one play actually running away from the running back. I didn't really like football my first year.
Q: When did you start liking football?
A: My third year. I actually played outside linebacker and fullback. I was able to get two touchdowns. And my coach used to run us on the sides so I used to get a lot of sacks.
Q: When did you first realize you could play at the major college level?
A: My junior year in high school. I didn't really think I was going to be that good. I thought I was going to have to go into the military to get a college education. I got my first college offer from Ole Miss. I didn't know I was that good.
Q: Describe the recruiting process and how you ended up at Wake Forest?
A: It was a good experience. I took trips to Kentucky, UCF, Colorado and Wake Forest. I actually wanted to play for Kentucky to be coached by Rick Petri, who's now at Duke, but the head coach took away all of our offers so I decided the next best thing was to go to Wake Forest.
Q: What is the best memory of your high school career?
A: Just my coach, my defensive end coach--Coach Anderson. He was a great person and a great coach and he loved me like family.
Q: What area of your game do you need to improve on?
A: My coverage. I don't feel like I'm that good in coverage.
Q: Is there an area of your game that just comes natural to you?
A: Pass rushing. I love pass rushing and getting sacks. I feel pass rushing is my best attribute and using my hands.
Q: What person has had the most influence on your football career?
A: Coach Anderson was my defensive end coach and my wrestling coach. I would spend the night at his house before a big wrestling match. He told me once that if anything happened to my family then he would adopt me.
Q: Did you think about going anywhere for wrestling?
A: I stopped before my senior year, but my junior year I was pretty good. I got first in districts, fourth in regionals but didn't make it to state.
Q: What do you see yourself doing after your football career is over?
A: I want to have a family and work with children in juvenile homes.
