Week 2: Grant Wilson, Old Dominion

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photo by bob bradlee

Old Dominion University quarterback Grant Wilson, who starred at Yorktown High in Arlington, is the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after completing 13 of 19 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns as the Monarchs beat Louisiana, 38-31, for their first win of the season.

“I loved how Grant stayed within the system,” Old Dominion Coach Ricky Rahne told reporters after the game. “He didn’t try to force things downfield. He didn’t throw the deep ball when he should have gone short. He really played within the system. And I thought our wideouts stepped up. It’s nice to be able to throw the ball to whoever is open.”

Wilson’s performance was a few years in the making. He attended Fordham University for his first three years of college, but saw little action on the football field, completing just 10 of 13 passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns as a backup.

But former Fordham offensive coordinator Kevin Decker was hired for the same position at Old Dominion following last season and a few days later, Wilson announced his intention to transfer and continue playing for Wilson.

Wilson, a two-time Liberty District Offensive Player of the Year at Yorktown, earned the starting job during the preseason. His first college start was on the road before a frenzied crowd at Virginia Tech – a far cry from playing with Fordham in the Patriot League – and he settled down this past week in his home debut. In addition to becoming the first Old Dominion quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in a game in five years, he also rushed for a fifth touchdown.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week Honor Roll is:

  • Wake Forest DB Caelen Carson (North Point) made a career-high 10 tackles and broke up a pass as the Demon Deacons beat Vanderbilt, 36-20.

  • Navy DT Clay Cromwell made a career-high eight tackles as the Midshipmen blanked Wagner, 24-0, for their first shutout in 15 seasons.

  • Millersville LB Hez Faison (DeMatha) made 10 tackles with 4 ½ tackles for loss and one sack as the Marauders beat Gannon, 28-21.

  • Maryland RB Roman Hemby rushed 20 times for 162 yards and one touchdown and caught four passes for 55 yards as the Terrapins beat Charlotte, 38-20.

  • Michigan State QB Noah Kim (Westfield) completed 18 of 22 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns as the Spartans beat Richmond, 45-14.

  • James Madison DL Jamree Kromah (C.H. Flowers) made a career-high six tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks as the Dukes beat Virginia, 36-35.

  • Slippery Rock DB Josh Stokes (Huntingtown) made six tackles and intercepted two passes in a 49-24 win over West Chester.

  • Southern Cal QB Caleb Williams (Gonzaga) completed 19 of 21 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for a 21-yard touchdown as the Trojans beat Stanford, 56-10. Through three games, Williams has completed 55 of 70 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns without an interception.