2017 NFL Draft interview: Raheem Wilson on Cowboys, Chiefs interest

One small-school prospect earning interest from the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys is Southeastern Oklahoma DB Raheem Wilson.

Raheem Wilson didn’t have aspirations to play professional football—at least, not until his friends and coaches told him he could actually do it. It took the belief of those closest to him for the small school cornerback to buy into the idea he could actually make the leap to the NFL.

Judging by the interest from the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs thus far, perhaps they knew what they were talking about. Wilson had an eye-popping 18 interceptions in his career and led all of Division II last season with 24 passes defended. Wilson was named All-American by year’s end.

At Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Wilson turned the corner as a player but, more importantly he says, as a person. He’s passionate, confident and ready to show the nation what he can do. And it’s all because of a community of people who believed in him in the first place.

You’re working out and staying busy with prep for team visits and local pro day before the draft, but how are you emotionally right now?

Honestly, I’m just enjoying the whole process. I’m loving every minute of it—not too high about anything, but not too low about stuff. I’m just soaking it all in, because not everybody gets to go through something like this every day.

What are the expectations for you at this point?

To play in the NFL is the dream, but I try not to think too far ahead. I conquer every day. I try to set myself in position so when the opportunity presents itself, then I’m ready for anything.

How long have you had that dream?

Well, come high school, it wavered from time to time because my head probably wasn’t on as straight as it should have been. [Laughs] I got to college and met some great coaches and have some great friends around me. They might have seen it before I did. I wasn’t the most confident guy at first, but once they started to see that I could make it a dream, they told me, “Hey, you’re really good at this.” Then I said, “Well, I do love this game, so why not pursue it as long as I can?” So I’d say once I got to college, it really started clicking.

In high school, I played for a very good high school in DeSoto, Texas and I had athletes all around me. At the time, I think I enjoyed being on the team more than I enjoyed playing the sport. I took it for granted, and it took some growing up for me internally for me to realize that the sport is a blessing just to be able to play. When I got to college, I actually started to take things more seriously.

When you say you love the game, what do you love about it? The competition?

Absolutely. You said it already. That’s the best part about it, honestly, is the competition. Being able to compete each and every week against players who are trying to accomplish the same goals. Then again, I love the camaraderie of the sport. I think it’s the greatest team sport ever invented. You’ve got 11 guys all doing different things just trying to make one thing happen.

How hard was it to know you’ve played your final college football game?

Honestly, it wasn’t as tough as I thought it would be. I actually cried my last offseason workout. For some reason, I broke down into tears then because you put so much work and sweat into the program and I knew that was the last time I’d spend a summer with these guys. Seeing guys in the summer, everyone is growing together and so that was harder than the actual game. With my last game, I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it.

Wow, so even the last home game, you’d already emotionally processed it all?

Yeah, but my last home game was probably the best game I’d ever played. It was just because I went out and soaked in every minute that was left. I wasn’t too sad about it. Rather, I knew it was a great run and I had no regrets.

When you look back at your body of work in college, what are you most proud of?

The growth and maturity in myself. I think I became a good leader. I appreciate that the most—who I became as a man, as a person, as a friend, as a brother. That was my best improvement that I made.

Small school prospects are gaining more attention every year, but there’s obviously still a deficit versus guys from the SEC or wherever. Do you feel that challenge in getting teams to notice what you can bring?

I definitely carry a chip on my shoulder being from a smaller school, because you’re going to get overlooked. I’m going against guys, like you said, from the SEC. I’m sure those players are great, but I carry a chip as well because I think I can play on any level that any other guy can, if not even at a better level.

What attention are you getting from teams at this stage?

I’ve talked to a few teams here and there after the Combine and at pro days. They keep in touch, but it’s just a process. My main focus is just making sure I put myself in position so I’m prepared for when an opportunity presents itself.

What teams specifically?

I’ve talked to the Dallas Cowboys. I’m going down there for Dallas day on April 7. I’ve talked to the Kansas City Chiefs. I’ve talked to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and I’ve also talked to the Rams. Nothing is set in stone, you know? Anything can change any day, so I don’t think too much of it and I don’t take it for granted as well.

When you hear from teams like the Chiefs or Cowboys, what are they saying?

They’re trying to get to know me as a person. They also want to talk about my film, what they liked or what they disliked. They talk about some of my best games or worst games. It’s all about getting to know me as a person.

For those who aren’t aware, what is the best thing you bring to the pro level?

My best attribute that I bring is my passion—the passion that I carry throughout life to each and every day, I think, is unmatched. I approach life differently than other people do. I wake up every day trying to be better than I was yesterday.