HUNTINGTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” If a Mr. Does Everything award existed in high school football, Tayveon Wilson likely would be the overwhelming favorite to win it.
The Huntington High senior stars in multiple sports. Wilson signed to play football at Clemson, but was a major college prospect in baseball as a center fielder, basketball as a guard and track and field as a sprinter.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIf he still played soccer, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d be one in that, too,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Highlanders football coach Billy Seals said.
Wilson said he still enjoys playing multiple sports.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI like them all,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Wilson said.
Football, though, is his ticket. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s played wide receiver and punted for the Highlanders. This season, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll line up at quarterback. Clemson recruited him as a tight end.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll still play him at receiver, too,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Seals said of the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder.
Wilson said the move is fine with him.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWhatever it takes to help the team,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Wilson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll play anywhere if it helps us win. I feel great about the opportunity to learn more about the game from a new position, which could potentially help me play others in my future.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Wilson garnered dozens of college offers. He narrowed his choices to Clemson, Penn State, Louisville, Miami (Florida) and West Virginia. Wilson also drew offers from Marshall, Appalachian State, Bowling Green, Illinois, Toledo, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Western Michigan, among others.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe game-day visit really changed it for me,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Wilson said of why he picked the Atlantic Coast Conference power. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI really liked it there. It felt like the best fit for me. I know they really wanted me.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
In July, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who starred at Clemson, led a youth football camp at Huntington High. Higgins spoke with Wilson during that visit.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe told me Clemson would be a great fit for me as a person and the atmosphere is like no other,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Wilson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe said the fans are welcoming to all.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Seals said heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s proud of Wilson, who has a 4.7 grade-point average, and called him one of the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œone, two or three best athletesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s ever coached. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s high praise, because Seals has coached Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Darnell Wright, Marshall University defensive back Zah Jackson, freshman All-American Gavin Lochow of Dayton, VMI receiver Malik McNeely, Air Force running back Keegan Sack, WVU offensive lineman Robby Martin, Kent State wide receiver Wayne Harris and several other stars.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTayveonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a special kid,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Seals said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve known Tayveon since he was 5 years old. He and my son (Brody) grew up playing soccer together, so IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been around Tayveon almost his whole life. I knew he was going to be a really good athlete.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Wilson has made the all-state team as a receiver and a punter. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a The Herald-Dispatch All-Tri-State selection.
Last season, Wilson was limited to five games because of an ankle injury that required surgery. He missed basketball and baseball seasons. Wilson said heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s healthy now and ready to compete again.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s doing well,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Wilson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fine. I missed playing basketball and baseball, though, but I had to be smart about it and recover.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
As a sophomore, Wilson caught 27 passes for 588 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 21.8 yards per reception, rushed for 153 yards and four touchdowns and scored three TDs on defense and one on special teams.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s everything you can ask for in an athlete,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Seals said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFootball offers so many more scholarship opportunities. We have a really good rapport with college coaches. He went down to ClemsonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s camp and Kyle Richardson, the tight end coach, said Tayveon was the best kid at the camp.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Wilson said he looks forward to playing for the Tigers but is focused on his final season of high school football. The Highlanders have reached the state semifinals or deeper in four straight seasons, including two trips to the state final and one victory in that round.
Wilson said heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d love another shot at a state title.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m excited for this season,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Wilson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI know I can get better.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Seals compared Wilson to Lochow, an all-state quarterback and House Award winner as the stateÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s premier passer. Lochow was a standout at running the ball as much as throwing it. Wilson fits that mold.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s big,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Seals said of Wilson. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe throws the ball well, though. You watch him in preseason camp, during flex days, and he throws the ball well; heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s mobile, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s athletic. In todayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s game, having an athletic quarterback is such a plus. You have to be able to move around a little bit.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
WilsonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s passing isnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t yet polished, but the tools are there.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œVery strong arm,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Seals said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHe plays center field and pitches in baseball. He has a great arm and makes it look easy.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
