1. Tavon Wilson played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.
40 Facts About Tavon Wilson
1. 2.
Tavon Wilson started the last 38 games of his collegiate career, spanning his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.
3.
Tavon Wilson did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine.
4.
Tavon Wilson was invited to the Super Regional Combine in Detroit, Michigan, but declined the invitation.
5.
Tavon Wilson was ranked the ninth best free safety prospect in the draft and was ranked the 24th best safety in the draft by ESPN Scouts inc.
6.
Tavon Wilson was the third safety drafted in 2012, behind Mark Barron and Harrison Smith.
7.
The Patriots' selection of Tavon Wilson was immediately met with criticism as he was a virtually unknown prospect.
8.
Tavon Wilson made his first career tackle on Chris Johnson in the second quarter.
9.
On October 7,2012, Tavon Wilson earned his first career start in place of Steve Gregory who sustained a hip injury.
10.
Tavon Wilson finished his rookie season with 41 total tackles, six pass deflections, and four interceptions in 16 games and four starts.
11.
Tavon Wilson played in 464 snaps on defense and played 238 snaps on special teams.
12.
Tavon Wilson was named the backup free safety, behind Devin McCourty, to begin the regular season.
13.
Tavon Wilson was inactive for three games due to an injury he sustained to his hamstring.
14.
Tavon Wilson saw a sharp decrease in his playing time on defense and was limited to only 17 snaps on defense, but played 253 snaps on special teams.
15.
Tavon Wilson entered camp as a candidate to replace Steve Gregory at strong safety.
16.
Tavon Wilson competed for the job against Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon.
17.
Tavon Wilson was named the backup free safety to Devin McCourty to start the season.
18.
Tavon Wilson finished his third season with 22 combined tackles and two pass deflections in 16 games and zero starts.
19.
Tavon Wilson had a larger role on defense and played in 183 defensive snaps.
20.
Tavon Wilson maintained his prominent role on special teams and played in 324 snaps.
21.
Tavon Wilson was in danger of losing his roster spot during training camp in 2015.
22.
Tavon Wilson was on the roster bubble as Patrick Chung and Devin McCourty were entrenched in the starting roles at safety, Duron Harmon was slated as the third safety in their three-safety technique, and rookie Jordan Richards was virtually guaranteed a roster spot as a second round pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
23.
Tavon Wilson competed to be the fifth safety on the roster as a backup and a special teams player against Nate Ebner.
24.
Tavon Wilson finished his last season with the New England Patriots with 13 combined tackles and two pass deflections in nine games and zero starts.
25.
Tavon Wilson played 155 snaps on special teams and was limited to 83 snaps on defense.
26.
Tavon Wilson was a healthy scratch for seven games as the Patriots chose to only carry five safeties during those contests.
27.
Tavon Wilson was inactive for both of the Patriots' playoff games.
28.
Tavon Wilson became an unrestricted free agent after completing his four-year rookie contract.
29.
The New England Patriots chose not to re-sign Tavon Wilson after re-signing Nate Ebner to replace him on special teams and Jordan Richards adequately replacing Tavon Wilson on defense.
30.
Tavon Wilson finished his first season in Detroit with a career-high 89 combined tackles, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 14 starts.
31.
Tavon Wilson received the 21st highest grade among all qualifying safeties from Pro Football Focus in 2016.
32.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin named Tavon Wilson the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside Glover Quin.
33.
Tavon Wilson was inactive for the Lions' Week 3 loss at the Atlanta Falcons after injuring his shoulder.
34.
On November 27,2017, the Lions placed Tavon Wilson on injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 12.
35.
Tavon Wilson finished the season with 55 combined tackles, two pass deflections, two sacks, and an interception in ten games and nine starts.
36.
In 2019, Tavon Wilson played in all 16 games, and made a career-high 92 tackles.
37.
Tavon Wilson had a sack, five passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries.
38.
Tavon Wilson played in 15 games with two starts as a backup safety and core special teamer.
39.
On March 22,2021, Tavon Wilson signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
40.
Tavon Wilson was placed on injured reserve on November 15,2021.