Awards & Honors
- 2024: Preseason All-Big Sky Linebacker
- 2024: Preseason Second-Team All-American Linebacker (Stats Perform)
- 2024: Preseason Second-Team All-American Linebacker (FCS Football Central/Sports Illustrated)
- 2023: Second-Team All-Big Sky
- 2023: Big Sky Player of the Week (10/28)
Before Arizona: In 2024 (Montana), after a breakout year, Wilson is expected to once again be one of the most prolific linebackers in the Big Sky Conference… Rated the No. 3 overall edge rusher in the FCS 2026 draft class by Pro Football Focus with an 83.5 overall grade entering the season... Was named the No. 6 best linebacker in the FCS and the best player in the FCS to wear the No. 42 jersey in a preseason feature by HERO Sports...
In 2023 (Montana), made two starts in his first year at UM and played in 13 of 15 games, missing two to injury… Was Montana’s leader in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (15) in 2023 and was 6
th in total tackles (53)… Was No. 2 in the Big Sky in total TFLs and No. 1 in solo TFLs with 13… Was 5
th in the Big Sky in sacks with 8.5 (8 solo)… Named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career following the Northern Colorado Game with 6 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 3 sacks… Registered a sack in five different games and at least a half TFL in all but two games...
In 2022 (Hawai'i), made four appearances for the Rainbow Warriors, registering one solo tackle...
In 2021 (Hawai'i), played in 11 games, primarily on special teams… Recorded five tackles on the season… Made the switch from tight end to linebacker… Earned academic all-MW honors...
In 2020 (Hawai'i), appeared briefly in one game, catching a two-yard pass against Boise State at tight end…. Earned academic all-MW honors… Was a redshirt.
High School: A 2020 graduate of Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, Texas… Played both receiver and linebacker for the Lions… A TAPPS all-district first-team and honorable mention all-state selection as a junior after tallying 645 receiving yards…. Had 26 catches for 433 yards and five touchdowns as a senior despite missing most of the season due to injury…. Selected wide receiver MVP at Nike’s The Opening in Dallas, a prestigious prep combine… Earned Regional MVP honors for the wide receiver/tight end position at the 2019 Nike Opening… Part of the 2017 state championship squad… Rated as No. 146 prospect in the state of Texas by MaxPreps.
Personal: Born in Plano, Texas… Full name is William Riley Wilson III… Nickname is “Hollywood.”… Major is Business… Has two sisters… Father played for Woody Hayes at Ohio State… Parents are Buddy and Melanie Wilson of Prosper, Texas.
