It appears that N.C. State Wolfpack head coach Tom O'Brien is moving on from quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson is a two-sport star, the other sport being baseball. Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, but he was able to keep his amateur status in college football after signing a contract with the Colorado Rockies.
Wilson played the fall season as the Wolfpack's starting quarterback, but recent comments from O'Brien make it seem doubtful that he wants Wilson under center for the coming season:
"Our plans are he's not coming back," O'Brien said. "He'll be a baseball player. We have to move forward with Glennon. We've planned for this day, and Michael's ready to do it."
So, N.C. State's loss is the Rockies' gain. Wilson was recently rated the No. 19 prospect in the organization by Baseball America, meaning that he does have the potential to make the majors some day. Though he played sparingly in last spring for the Wolfpack baseball team, he is considered a plus fielder who knows how to play offensively. More playing time will make that evident.
Last summer, Wilson appeared in 32 games and hit .230/.336/.377 for the Tri-City Dust Devils in the Northwest League, a short-season league that begins play in late June. Though Wilson has speed, he was only 4-for-10 on steal attempts.
He will likely start the 2011 season with the Low-A Asheville Tourists, where he will join 2010 first-round selection Kyle Parker, former Clemson starting quarterback.