Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson participates in a passing drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wilson was selected in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in the 2013 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Fayetteville, Ark. – Former All-SEC Arkansas Razorback quarterback Tyler Wilson was selected on Saturday in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders made Wilson the sixth overall quarterback selected after being rated the eighth best in the draft by ESPN talking heads. The Greenwood, Ark., native was selected with the 112th overall pick.
Wilson will get an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job at Oakland with last year’s starter Carson Palmer traded to Arizona and traded for QB Matt Flynn joining the Raiders in his first year; presumably to slide in as the team’s starter.
Flynn was a 2008 draft pick of the Green Bay Packers. Flynn spent four years with the Packers then spent last season backing up rookie signal caller Russell Wilson before heading to the Raiders in the off-season.
The third quarterback on the Raiders roster is former troubled Ohio State player Terrelle Pryor. Pryor finished 2012 as a reserve throwing for 155 yards on 14 of 30 attempts with two touchdowns and one pick.
Wilson will join former Razorback running back Darren McFadden in Oakland comprising arguably two of the top/best performers at their respective position in Arkansas college football history.
During the Senior Bowl Wilson spent time getting to know the Raiders staff completing one-on-one interviews with various coaches setting up what he called “a very, very good connection.”
In two short years as a starter Wilson set 27 school passing records and left the school as the all-time leader in passing yards with 7,765.