Texas Southern's quarterback Jace Wilson sat for an interview with Kyle T. Mosley of HBCU Legends to talk about Wilson being named the 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year.
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00:07 All right, HBCU family, it's Coyote Mosley of HBCU Legends on Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation.
00:15 Man, we got a good one with us today.
00:19 It's none other than the 2023 SWAC Newcomer of the Year,
00:25 Mr. Jace Wilson out of Texas Southern Tigers.
00:30 What's going on, man?
00:30 How you doing?
00:31 >> Man, I'm doing pretty good, man.
00:33 I'm glad to be on here.
00:34 >> Good, good.
00:36 Look, I know I watched you all season long over at Texas Southern and
00:40 I saw the evolution and development that you had in the program.
00:45 As well as I talked to Coach McKinney quite extensively about how you've been
00:51 progressing as well as your other teammates and everybody said that you
00:56 have really shown great progress and great promise for the program as well.
01:03 Just going into this year, I mean, I know when you transferred from Furman,
01:09 did you have any idea that you will be starting?
01:12 >> Transferring from Furman, I think one of the things that me and
01:19 Coach McKinney talked about when I came to visit was having
01:23 an opportunity to compete when I came in and ultimately lead this football team.
01:29 And so they made the decision to have AB play the PV game and ended up working out.
01:36 They told me in the morning of Toledo game that I was gonna be the starter.
01:39 And so just being prepared, coming in the spring,
01:43 learning the offense a little bit and we're kind of figuring each other out.
01:47 Me, Coach Marsh McKinney, and we kind of hit our stride in the middle of the season
01:51 and we kind of were getting better each game.
01:54 And so just having that time in the system and
01:59 then them believing in me ultimately, we really helped out and worked out.
02:03 >> Yeah, it did, man.
02:05 I know no one really anticipated Andrew being out for the rest of the season,
02:11 especially just being out period.
02:14 Because everything he was telling us is that he's ready and
02:18 he felt like he was ready for the season.
02:20 But in that preview game, you could see some things were kind of missing there,
02:25 as far as his injuries concerned.
02:27 But you were told to me by Darius Owens, right?
02:34 That the team kind of galvanized themselves around you and
02:40 really helped you out and kind of protected you in some ways to
02:45 make sure that you were going to be a success.
02:49 Talk about your teammates and what you have learned from your experience just
02:54 being with these guys over at Texas Southern.
02:57 >> The great thing about being from Houston was I knew kind of half the team
03:02 before I even transferred here.
03:04 And I mean, Coach McKinney was my first offer out of high school.
03:07 And so- >> Really?
03:09 >> Yeah, Coach McKinney was my first offer in high school.
03:11 And so just coming back home, being close to family and
03:17 then like you said, my teammates.
03:18 I mean, I feel like the locker room didn't skip a beat when there's a change
03:23 at quarterback and they kind of, like you said, they get galvanized around me.
03:27 I had my O-line, I mean, me and my O-line go out to eat all the time every week.
03:30 And so having a thousand yard rusher next to you doesn't hurt as well, I mean.
03:35 >> Yeah, it doesn't hurt to sneeze at him at all, right?
03:40 >> You're right, you're gonna get six yards right there.
03:42 I mean, so just having those guys and then Coach Z, Coach Marsh, and
03:46 like you said, just everyone just kind of believing in me over the course of the
03:49 season, it helped a lot.
03:51 And like you said, I mean, I'm just glad I could come in and
03:54 get a newcomer of the year.
03:55 >> Yeah, now talk about this, man.
03:58 We saw you at the Rice game.
04:02 The Rice game was pretty hard game for all of you guys.
04:06 And it didn't seem like you guys were headed in the right direction.
04:10 But the next game, things kind of changed for you.
04:14 Is that when you kind of got the feeling that, okay, I can do this.
04:20 And we can do it as a team and we can be able to push forward.
04:23 >> Yeah, I mean, those early games, we had trouble starting fast.
04:29 And you get behind the eight ball against Toledo and Rice.
04:33 It's gonna be hard to come back.
04:34 And so we went to the Grambling Week focused and we kind of had our game plan and
04:39 a couple of plays that we knew we could hang our hat on.
04:44 And so after, like I said, figuring each other out, I mean,
04:47 that game we had two receivers get hurt that game as well.
04:50 I think I had about 200 yards and three touchdowns that game.
04:56 And like you said, everything was hitting.
04:57 So a couple of plays that game, maybe we win it.
05:00 But like you said, that game, I think everyone kind of believed in me after,
05:04 as far as showing that I could be a leader of this team and
05:07 lead this team to victory.
05:09 And it wasn't gonna be a bad season.
05:10 So I think that game helped a lot.
05:13 >> Yeah, yeah, it did.
05:14 You can see not only how the guys were responding to you,
05:20 but you were like, okay, let's push forward.
05:24 Because before you were kind of, let me see what's out.
05:29 But now you were more aggressive that game.
05:32 And then you started rolling,
05:36 just kind of getting it rolling the rest of the season.
05:39 Now you had what, over 1,700 yards in passing and
05:43 10 touchdowns in the season as well.
05:46 I know some of your boys on the wide receivers, they dropped some easy ones
05:51 there, [LAUGH] but we don't gotta talk about that.
05:54 [LAUGH] >> It comes with the territory.
05:57 I mean, we all mess up and that's the good thing about being on a team is like,
06:01 he can jog back to the huddle and I've never yelled, hey,
06:04 let's go get it again next time.
06:06 So I mean, that's the glory of it.
06:08 Like you said, everyone galvanizing around each other.
06:11 >> Yeah, yeah, pretty good, man.
06:14 Do you know that you and Andrew now have the distinction of being
06:18 Texas Southern's newcomers of the year at quarterback?
06:23 >> He won it like two years ago.
06:25 >> In 2021.
06:27 >> That's pretty, he told me congratulations earlier today.
06:31 I still gotta see everybody, but that's pretty cool.
06:34 >> Yeah, yeah.
06:35 Now, there's been a transition, of course.
06:37 Everybody knows that Coach McKinney is no longer with the program.
06:42 And you just spoke about how he was the first person to offer you
06:47 an opportunity to join his football program.
06:51 Talk about the feeling that you have or
06:54 the experience just losing a coach that believed in you.
07:00 >> Yeah, that was kind of hard.
07:04 We knew coming in this season, it was last year on the contract and
07:08 these big games.
07:09 I mean, it was gonna come down to whether he was gonna stay or be gone.
07:14 So that obviously sucks.
07:16 I find it feel like some of the times, some of the games I could have made a play
07:21 or two and we're that close.
07:23 I mean, you go back and look at the Jackson State game, who knows?
07:27 I mean, maybe we win that game if they say we make that field goal.
07:30 And the FAMU game, we're 14-0 at halftime.
07:36 I mean, those games suck to lose and
07:39 it sucks to see a good man like him as far as off the field.
07:44 Just off the field, how he cultivated that program.
07:46 And I grew up around the program.
07:50 And so just seeing the amount of growth that he took this program from
07:55 when he first got here and to now, it was a beautiful thing.
08:00 And I mean, I told him I'm gonna miss him and I was pulling for
08:03 him to get the extra year.
08:04 But we'll obviously stay in contact and I know he's wishing the best for me and
08:08 I wish the best for him.
08:09 >> Yeah, that's the thing, man.
08:11 Coach is a good guy, good man.
08:14 And you see how he's been able to develop guys like yourself as well as Andrew,
08:20 as well as Ladarius.
08:21 And you can go on and on with the Montario Anderson from last season,
08:27 Michael Badgill from season before that.
08:30 Really great talent that has come through that program under Coach McKinney.
08:37 What's the process for you going forward?
08:39 What are you going to think about as well as sit down with your parents and
08:44 kind of figure out what's the next direction for you?
08:48 >> I'm all in, man.
08:50 I'm good where I'm at at home in Houston.
08:53 I like going home on the weekends and getting some home cooked meals.
08:57 >> [LAUGH] >> And being here for this university,
09:00 I mean, I knew, I feel like God led me here for a reason, man.
09:04 And my first offer coming out here, my dad graduated from TSU.
09:10 I mean, I think I'm here for a reason.
09:11 And like I said, I wish I could get a couple of those games back.
09:15 But I'm excited going forward next year.
09:18 Whoever they bring in, I just know I'm gonna compete.
09:21 This team, we're really, really hungry.
09:24 And we know we're this close, like I said, we're this close getting over the hump.
09:28 And so just looking forward to getting my body right over this break and
09:32 looking forward to spring ball.
09:34 >> Now, when it comes to coaches, do you have a preference of what type of coach
09:40 that the program needs to bring in?
09:42 >> I think our preference as student athletes,
09:47 as far as here at Texas Southern, I mean,
09:51 I definitely wanna pass first coach,
09:55 come in and bring a good offensive mind in.
10:00 And I know they have the option to kind of hold back some coaches and
10:04 stuff like that.
10:05 So I don't know what they're gonna do with that.
10:08 They had a meeting with us and I think they'll be making a decision in two weeks.
10:12 So I'm not sure who's been out there, who's been sending resumes.
10:15 But I mean, I feel like we have the guys and we have kind of the leadership in place
10:19 to keep this team going and make sure you actually get over the hump and
10:24 win those couple of games and go shock the world.
10:27 And so somebody would come in and lead us and not kind of stewardship too much,
10:32 but just kind of pass first guy.
10:36 I'm excited to see what they bring in.
10:38 >> All right, good, good.
10:40 Talk to the people, who are you?
10:43 Who's Jace Wilson and what's your major?
10:46 I mean, what you're about?
10:47 >> I'm a communications major.
10:51 Now I like to cook sometimes.
10:54 I actually wanna be a sports analyst.
10:57 >> Okay.
10:58 >> Maybe be a sports announcer one day, so I'm working towards that.
11:02 And I mean, I played football, basketball and baseball in high school.
11:08 A lot of people in Houston knew me.
11:11 I think I saw some stuff on Twitter, somebody Andrew bodies, TSC.
11:15 I think a lot of people know me in Houston.
11:17 I'm excited to actually kind of just come over and take over.
11:20 And man, I'm excited about next year.
11:23 I just can't stop thinking about it, man.
11:25 >> Good, good.
11:27 How shocked were you to learn that you were the newcomer of the year?
11:32 >> Yeah, definitely our record, it didn't help.
11:37 But every game you go back and look at the stats.
11:42 I mean, I feel like personally I've played every quarterback we played against.
11:46 And so even with those L's, man, obviously I'd rather take the W.
11:51 They can have stats.
11:53 I feel like my stats need to be better anyway, ten touchdowns isn't enough.
11:57 >> Yeah.
11:59 >> But first year in the offense, receivers learning me, me learning receivers,
12:03 coaches learning me.
12:04 And like I said, you can see the attention to detail and
12:07 the progression as far as later in the season in our offense.
12:11 And so I think one more year in the system and
12:14 I might end up being a player the year next year.
12:18 >> That's what I like to hear, yeah, definitely.
12:21 Now, going into the 2024 season, do you have a regimen or
12:26 what you're gonna probably work on for yourself?
12:31 Of course, a lot of people say, I'm gonna go lift weights and all that stuff.
12:36 But you're a quarterback, quarterbacks do a little differently.
12:39 Talk about how you're gonna progress going forward with your offseason workout.
12:45 >> Definitely my number one focus will just be my body,
12:50 getting that to where I'm 195, just rock solid.
12:55 >> Rock solid, all right.
12:56 >> Rock solid, yeah, taking a couple of those hits.
12:58 I know you saw those hits against Southern.
13:00 >> Yeah, you got blasted a few times.
13:03 [LAUGH] >> I wanna be able to stand up to those
13:05 hits sometimes, man.
13:07 So definitely working on my body.
13:09 I'll be training with Pure Sports TX out here in Missouri City, Texas.
13:14 Working on my throwing mechanics and throwing from different arm angles and
13:19 also just getting to different reads and the progression stuff.
13:22 And so everything mental, and like I said, whoever they bring in,
13:26 I'll be learning offense first day they bring in.
13:29 And so I'll be in contact with that coach and my body would be the biggest thing.
13:36 >> Do you have like an offensive guru, someone who kind of works with you
13:41 on the different progressions or how to be able to make sure your technique
13:46 and throwing is on point?
13:49 >> Yeah, he gave birth to me, man, my dad.
13:51 >> Yeah, coach, what's his name?
13:53 Coach what?
13:54 [LAUGH] >> Coach J Wilson.
13:56 >> That's right.
13:57 >> He's an offensive coordinator at Brookshire Royal right now.
14:00 But I mean, he's been my coach kind of all my life.
14:03 And those car rides homes and they build up over time and
14:07 I'm so glad to have him in my corner.
14:09 He's my best friend.
14:10 And so just being with him, being back in the city with him and
14:12 being able to train is gonna be big for me this offseason.
14:15 >> Yeah, I know he's very proud of you.
14:18 >> Yes, sir.
14:19 >> All right, tell everybody how they can be able to find you on the world wide web.
14:24 >> My Instagram is is waste Jilson.
14:28 This is Jace Wilson, swap the letters and my Twitter is Jace Hollywood 16.
14:33 So just go check me out and I appreciate you having this interview with me, man.
14:38 I really do.
14:38 >> No problem, many more to come between us.
14:42 I gotta say this, we're very proud of from the guys who cover you in the media
14:47 here in the Houston area, knowing that you went from relatively unknown,
14:54 transferring in and taking the backseat to Andrew and
14:58 supporting him early on and then just taking charge of this program.
15:04 Congratulations to you, everything that you've done and
15:09 I look forward to seeing how you progress in your career.
15:13 >> I appreciate you, sir.
15:16 I look forward to doing some more of these interviews and go Tigers, man.
15:21 >> Go Tigers.
15:21 >> Go Tigers.
15:22 >> That's the swag.
15:24 2023 newcomer of the year, Mr.
15:27 Jace Wilson out of Texas Southern University in Third Ward, Houston.
15:33 Coyote Mosley from HBCU Legends.
15:36 That's Jace Wilson.
15:37 Thank you, Jace.
15:38 >> Thank you.
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