Pack's Wilson ready to return after concussion

It was a simple gesture, but it spoke volumes… NC State quarterback Russell Wilson giving a thumb’s up while being taken off the field after a hard hit against South Carolina…

“I just wanted to give NC State fans something to be excited about,” said Wilson, who was taken from Williams-Brice stadium to a nearby hospital. “I didn't want everybody to be down and everything like that. I wanted everybody to know I was going to be OK.”

Wilson left the field in Columbia with a grade three concussion. But now, not even two weeks later, he’s not only cleared to play again, he’s NC State’s starting quarterback.

“You know, Coach O'Brien,” Wilson said. “I trusted him and everything like that, and I definitely talked to him a lot, and definitely the medical staff and stuff like that. I'm always eager to play and step out on the field. They did a great job with me.”

Tom O’Brien says Wilson was actually cleared to play last week, but was held out of the William & Mary game as a precaution. O’Brien then wasted no time in returning Wilson’s starting status, giving him the Clemson week nod immediately after NC State’s game against the Tribe.

Wilson’s teammates all cite leadership as his quarterback intangible.

“I think he's a calm guy who comes in and gives you the play and gives you confidence in him,” said George Bryan, a freshman tight end at NC State.

Bryan’s fellow freshman, TJ Graham, says Wilson took him under his wing. “We have about twenty formations we use,” said Graham. “And I went and learned all of them -- me and Russell -- for about two hours. So after that, I had real respect for Russell.”