Backing The Pack, a N.C. State Wolfpack community

The most impressive part of Wilson's game has been his work ethic. It's not uncommon to see him at McCormick Field at 11:30 a.m. for a 7:05 p.m. game. His hands are calloused from all the ground balls he takes, and he works tirelessly on his footwork around the bag as well as on his swing in the batting cage. Asheville skipper Joe Mikulik has said Wilson works as hard as anyone he has managed in his 11 years with the Tourists, yet admits the second baseman is a little behind many of his teammates in terms of experience.

27 Sports caught up with UW receiver Nick Toon on Friday to hear his thoughts on the possibility of adding Wilson to the squad:

"Obviously, whenever you can bring in someone of his caliber, it's going to add some competition at the quarterback spot and competition brings out the best in everybody and that's great. Hopefully he comes here," said Toon. "I met him last week and he seems like a great guy; I like him a lot. Hopefully we can see him in a Wisconsin uniform this fall."

Reports coming in that Russell is studying Cam's crayon-drawn playbook.

"He has not once come to us and expressed an interest in playing football this year," Marc Gustafson, the Rockies' senior director of player development, said in an interview today. "It is not an issue between the Rockies and Russell. It has never been brought to our attention."

"I'm taking it one day at a time right now," Wilson said when asked if he was considering returning to State for his senior year. "I'm blessed to have the opportunity to do what I've done, and right now, I'm just excited to be playing for the Asheville Tourists."

NCST QB Russell Wilson did not enter NFL draft, will attend Rockies spring training, possibly still play senior year for Wolfpack

"In this case, we're trying to let him sort his situation out as far as does he want to come full-time here. We want Russell full-time, we love what he's all about, what he stands for and what he's been able to do here at NC State as well as if he makes it to the next level, the NFL, the CFL, whatever happens. We're going to let him sort his way out and be patient with his decision."

Against three-point favorite West Virginia, the N.C. State quarterback had one of his most impressive performances in an already extraordinary football career.

Playing on the same Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium turf where Philip Rivers ended his four-year State career on Dec. 22, 2003 in a 56-26 bowl rout of Kansas, Wilson directed a 23-7 victory that may serve as his football so-long show.

"Both guys are great kids," Rockies scouting director Bill Schmidt said. "We're just trying to get them through the season healthy."

The two stars are in the middle of a tug-of-war between the Rockies and their football coaches. Schmidt would like to show both of them how many quarterbacks 6-feet and under play in the NFL (very few).

"He has a weird clock in his head,'' N.C. State teammate and friend Owen Spencer said of Wilson's ability to excel in so many areas. "That's just his drive and that's what he was blessed with. ... That's just Russell. He does everything.''