Over the past three years, quarterback Nahshon Wilson has shined with his arms and feet, racking up thousands of yards and dozens of touchdowns.
Saint Michael head coach Hugh Brown clearly remembers two plays.
The first was in 2022 against North Cross, the eventual Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II state champions.
“He was in the pocket against them and he was on our sideline, probably at the 20,” Brown said. “He’s running for his life back there. All of a sudden he breaks away and comes to their sideline. Their whole secondary had him in their sights, but he outran everyone.”
The other mistake came in the Warriors’ season opener last season, when a planned quick pass led to a long touchdown run in which Wilson was faster than Pallotti (Maryland) linebacker Gabe Williams.
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Williams, now a freshman at Virginia Tech, had a good attack on the 6’2″, 195lb quarterback, but ended up on the ground and missed a tackle by several yards as Wilson left him far behind.
Wilson wants to make more of these plays as a senior, and his confidence matches that expectation.
“I know I can lead my team where they need to go,” Wilson said. “I trust my team enough to know where they need to go and what they need to do. I trust my teammates and I trust myself.”
In last Friday’s season opener against Life Christian Academy, Wilson scored three touchdowns (two passing, one running) in Saint Michael’s 47-0 victory.
“I loved it,” said Wilson, who began his career as a freshman at Mountain View before transferring to Saint Michael. “I love playing football and it made me so happy to be able to play again. I just love being out there with my guys, my teammates who put in so much work. … It was so much fun to win with them and see them and I succeed.”
The highly touted prospect lives and breathes football. Wilson led the Warriors’ offseason workouts starting last December, weeks after the 2023 season ended.
These workouts have helped him put on some muscle mass, even though he has already shown a 4.5-second 40-yard dash speed on the field. Not only is he still fast, but he has also increased his physicality.
“We train all winter long, outside in January and February when nobody wants to be there, just to see what you’re made of,” Brown said. “He didn’t miss a thing. … He was the first one there. He’s not a yeller or a screamer. He leads by example.”
Wilson has worked on this leadership quality for years, but by setting an example he has been able to develop into a leader of the team.
“The most impressive thing about him is his demeanor and character,” Brown said. “He’s constantly encouraging the kids. He’s extremely humble. … When you have someone with that kind of character, his potential is limitless under the right coaching.”
Wilson is a star in many sports and uses his speed to his advantage in track and field. Last season, despite missing games due to injury, he ran for 613 yards and seven touchdowns on just 49 carries and threw for 1,056 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2022, he threw for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns for the VISAA Division III state champions.
This season, all he has to do is help get Saint Michaels back to 2022 form after a 4-6 season last year. This is his final trip, and he’s here to soak up and enjoy every moment of it. He has scholarship offers from Howard and Akron (where his former Warriors teammate Melvin Spriggs now plays) and has drawn interest from several Power 5 conference schools.
“Every game, it’s time to go, time to win,” Wilson said. “It’s time to dominate like we’ve wanted to since last December. … That was my last first play, my last first snap, my last first touchdown. It’s all happening so fast, but I’ve prepared for this moment and I’m ready.”
