J. J. Wilcox: 5 Things You Need to Know About the Georgia Southern SS

Despite playing only one season at safety for Georgia Southern, J.J. Wilcox is turning heads. After a strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, his draft stock went bull market.

He is a former wide receiver with great athletic ability and strong work ethic. His talent, however, isn't the question. The question is whether or not one season starting at safety for an FCS school projects into NFL success.

While that question will remain unanswered until next season, here are several things we do know about him. 

Background

Full Name: James Wilcox

Birthday: February 14, 1991

Hometown: Cairo, Georgia

High School: Cairo High

College: Georgia Southern

Major: Management

Year: Senior

Wilcox played for the Cairo High School football team that won the Georgia 2008 state championship. Coming into Georgia Southern as a First Team All Region and First Team All-Area wide receiver, he only played one season at wide receiver before switching to slotback as junior and then safety as a senior.

Statistics

2009: 8 games, 16 catches, 179 yards, 0 TDs, 22.4 YPG

2010: 15 games, 85 carries, 484 yards, 6 TDs, 32.3 YPG; 22 catches, 551 yards, 3 TDs, 36.7 YPG

2011: 13 games, 52 carries, 480 yards, 7 TDs, 36.9 YPG; 7 catches, 168 yards, 1 TDs, 12.9 YPG

2012: 13 games, 88 tackles, 2 INTs, 3 passes defensed

Wilcox was all over the place during his college career proving his overall athleticism and adaptability. He started as a wide receiver, slotback and safety. He also returned kicks. 

Although he had success playing offense, he didn't stand out as anything remarkable. Proving that he could play safety his senior year, he piqued the curiosity of scouts who love athleticism. His strong play at the Senior Bowl strengthened the love.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com.

Draft Process

Measurables

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 213 pounds

Arm Length: 31"

Hand Size: 9"

NFL Combine Results

40-yard dash: 4.57 seconds

Bench press: 17 reps

Broad jump: 124 inches

Vertical jump: 35 inches

Three-cone drill: 7.02 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.09 seconds

Georgia Southern Pro Day Results

Wilcox did not compete in any measurable events.

Wilcox displayed his athleticism during the combine, finishing fifth among safeties and 20th overall in the 20-yard shuttle. He also finished eighth and ninth among safeties in the 40-yard dash and broad jump, respectively.

He smartly decided not to compete in any measurable events in the Georgia Southern Pro Day, opting to go forward with his strong combine performance.

NFL combine results courtesy of NFL.com.

Interesting Facts

Wilcox caught 22 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns his senior year at Cairo High School. He also tallied 77 tackles, three forced fumbles and one interception that same year.

He was named First Team All-Southern Conference at safety his senior year at Georgia Southern.

His father, James Wilcox, played running back at Fort Valley State and received an invitation to the Miami Dolphins training camp.

Observations

Mel Kiper projects Wilcox to go to the Green Bay Packers.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has the Philadelphia Eagles drafting Wilcox in the fifth round

The NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah lists Wilcox as a one of the winners of the Senior Bowl.

From his draft profile on NFL.com: "Moving from receiver to slotback to safety takes a special kind of athlete, but Wilcox's physical attitude stands out as the reason for the seamless move."