One quarter of high school football changed Donovan Wilson's future in the game. He now enters the last quarter of his college career.
Donovan Wilson plays with passion, aggression and a chip on his shoulder. Entering his senior year, he doesn't quite feel he's accomplished everything he's set out to as a collegiate.
"My last year I want to prove a lot of people wrong," states Wilson. "There's a lot of people who slept on me. I want to make my point that I'm a great player. I want to be a leader on this team."
Striving for more, and the want to create a few more believers is admirable. But, whether he believes it or not, Wilson has proved plenty as an Aggie. He's made plays, and his mark on the program.
Wilson was fifth on the team with 59 tackles in 2016.
His freshman season, in his first career start, he registered nine tackles in A&M's Liberty Bowl win over West Virginia. That tally led the team.
As a sophomore, he topped the squad in interceptions with five. He returned one of those 60 yards for a touchdown against South Carolina. The Aggies needed it, as they won the game by only a score, 35-28.
Last season, Wilson posted 59 tackles, 5.5 for lost yardage.
But, maybe that chip still resides on the shoulder as a result of the recruiting process. For much of his time at Woodlawn High in Shreveport, Louisiana, he wasn't towards the top of many prospect lists.
"It was pretty tough," recalls Wilson. "Some people said I wasn't big enough, strong enough, fast enough to play in some divisions. I'm just glad I got the opportunity here."
Perhaps it was Wilson's own opportunism that led to an uptick in his future football endeavors.
Wilson led the team with five interceptions as a sophomore.
Heading into the final game of his sophomore year at Woodlawn, he only had one interception and minimal contact with colleges.
One quarter changed all that.
Against Huntington High School, Wilson intercepted four passes in the second period alone. He returned three for touchdowns, although one was called back. He later nabbed a fifth pick for good measure.
"It was a crazy game," Wilson remembers. "I couldn't believe it. It just kept on coming over and over. I was like 'when are they gonna stop throwing me the ball?'"
Wilson seems to be on a never-ending quest to make his mark. He did, on the game of football, that November evening in northern Louisiana.
"Two days after they told me I broke a national record for interceptions in a quarter."
It was hard not to notice Wilson after his effort against Huntington. Schools started to find him. He found his way to Texas A&M. Both parties are pleased with how it worked out.
Entering 2017, he forms one of the nation's top safety duos with Armani Watts.
Wilson & Armani Watts (Pictured) form one of the top safety duos in the country.
"Donovan, he's strong. He's a great player. He has a great IQ for the game," says running back Trayveon Williams. "It helps everybody out when you go against a guy like him and Armani. It prepares your game because you're going against two elite guys."
Williams and the offense have to practice against Wilson and Watts' physical style daily. But, it's worth it when gameday arrives.
"I'm glad I have those guys on my side," states Williams.
Wilson will keep striving for more, still hoping to prove something. But, he's had an excellent career to this point. How much more does he have to prove? That's up to him.
He's thankful for that quarter against Huntington as a sophomore in high school.
"I think that's what opened the door for me," he says.
Now, he enters the final quarter of his college career.
Donovan Wilson steps into his senior year feeling he has more to prove.
Whether he does or doesn't, there's nothing wrong with wanting more.
