100 Days of Summer: Get to Know No. 22 Ja’Ron Wilson

For the next stop on our countdown, let’s look at walk-on Ja’Ron Wilson, who has transformed his body and has a legitimate shot at quality reps in 2017.

How he got to OSU

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound back out of Euless Trinity High School (Texas) held 12 scholarship offers including Kansas, Illinois, and Colorado State. He instead decided to take his chance to earn a scholarship as a preferred walk-on for the Cowboys.

What he’s done in Stillwater

During one redshirt year in Stillwater, Wilson has really developed his body, putting on 40 pounds from his high school days. At 225 pounds — and with his inside-the-tackle running style — he may be the type of back that OSU needs to compliment Justice Hill. Wilson has 20 pounds on the next biggest tailback, true freshman J.D. King.

Role in 2017

As coaches try to fill out the running back depth chart in fall camp, Wilson has a chance to make some hay. During his Media Day press conference, Mike Gundy said that he likes what Wilson is doing in fall camp.

“I’ve liked the guys we’ve had here,” Gundy said. “I think [Jeff] Carr’s been here long enough that we understand what his role is. I like the progress that Ja’Ron’s made and then I like the improvement that LD’s made.”

If Wilson can continue to progress, I expect him to have real shot at the three-deep running back rotation. With Jeff Carr and LD Brown both fitting more of a scatback role and Chuba Hubbard and J.D. King still learning the playbook, there’s a clear opening that Wilson is uniquely equipped to fill.

Noteworthy stats and highlights

During his senior season at Euless Trinity, Wilson rushed for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns on 9.5 yards per carry. As a junior, he racked up 1,791 yards on 6.9 yards per carry.

Wilson hasn’t produced any highlights in orange yet but here’s a feature on him and an interview from when he won a weekly MVP as a high school senior.