Broncos' Kyle Wilson grows into leader

Ask the Boise State football coaches about cornerback Kyle Wilson's growth as a junior and all of them will give you the same answer.

He has become a vocal leader.

But none of his words could make a louder statement than his play in the past three games.

Against Bowling Green, Wilson grabbed an interception at the 8-yard line as the Falcons tried to rally in the fourth quarter.

Against Oregon, he nabbed an interception at the 1-yard line as the Ducks tried to build some momentum in the final minute of the first half.

And against Louisiana Tech, he made a diving pass breakup at the goal line to prevent what looked like a certain touchdown. The Bulldogs settled for a field goal.

Put them together, and Wilson's big plays epitomize the Broncos' early-season knack for keeping driving opponents out of the end zone.

"You want those (veteran) guys to step up and make plays when it's on the line," defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said, "and he's done that."

Wilson leads the WAC with three interceptions and five pass breakups for the No. 15 Broncos (4-0), who play Saturday at Southern Miss (2-3).

He was an All-WAC second-teamer last season. He's got his sights set much higher this season - a spot on an All-America team.

"I'm just trying to lead this team, fill any role the team needs," said Wilson, who is from Piscataway, N.J., but has many relatives on his mother's side in Mississippi. "I just want to play to the best of my abilities."

Wilson, who emerged as a starter midway through the 2006 season and was overshadowed by playmaking safety Marty Tadman in 2007, is the only member of the Broncos secondary with a full season of starting experience.

That's why coaches have emphasized his role as a leader. The Broncos are starting true sophomore cornerback Brandyn Thompson and utilizing true freshmen Jamar Taylor (cornerback) and George Iloka (safety).

"He's so much more encouraging to the younger guys - not only in the secondary," coach Chris Petersen said. "He's just an encouraging voice out there who helps us tremendously."

Still, Wilson (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) remains a guy who leads more by setting a standard than by preaching one.

He's a physical, competitive, self-critiquing player who considers every pass thrown his way an insult.

Wilcox loves that attitude. One of his favorite Fiesta Bowl memories is Wilson staring down Oklahoma receiver Quentin Chaney across the line of scrimmage during a timeout. Chaney finally walked away.

Wilson was just a redshirt freshman at the time.

"The best thing about Kyle is his attitude," Wilcox said. "He's got a chip on his shoulder - and I think that's great. He's always looking to make one or two or three more plays than he made."

Wilson had some uncharacteristic lapses last season. He occasionally got lulled to sleep when quarterbacks avoided him and he didn't always bounce back from his mistakes the way coaches would like.

He has been more consistent this year - and not just on game day.

"Every day it's fun to go out there and know somebody on the other side of the ball wants to get you better and get himself better," sophomore wide receiver Austin Pettis said. " He's making a lot of plays in practice, too."

Wilson, who could become the first Broncos cornerback named to the All-WAC first team since Gabe Franklin in 2004, would like to add to the recent run of Broncos defensive backs landing in the NFL. Safety Quintin Mikell (Eagles), safety/cornerback Chris Carr (Titans), safety Gerald Alexander (Lions) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (Cowboys) are playing in the NFL this season.

"I know his goal is to play in the NFL at some point," defensive backs coach Marcel Yates said. "He has the speed and footwork to do it."

Scandrick and Wilson were part of the same recruiting class, arriving in 2005. Wilson beat Scandrick in the 40-yard dash in spring 2007 (4.33 seconds to 4.36) and was given All-WAC honors ahead of Scandrick by the league's coaches last season - two signs pointing toward a pro career for Wilson.

"It's been my dream since way back," he said. "I can't see myself doing anything else. I don't see why I can't achieve it and play for a long time."

In a few months, he will face the same decision Scandrick confronted last year - stay or go? Scandrick, who didn't redshirt, exited after his junior season and was a fifth-round draft pick.

Wilson says he won't think about his situation until after the season.

"If you get to thinking about the NFL, you lose sight of the goals you're trying to achieve," he said. "I'm just trying to achieve the things I'm capable of here."