Logan Wilson’s collegiate challenges were bigger than football

The Cincinnati Bengals filled a void in their defense in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

That hole was filled by Logan Wilson, a linebacker from the University of Wyoming. Wilson was a stellar pick and was a star in the making at Wyoming, having transitioned to linebacker after his freshman season.

Wilson quickly thrived as linebacker, cementing himself as a staple for the defense. While his on-field play certainly didn’t relapse, Wilson’s family life was a different situation.

As he continued his dominant ways on the field, it was continually difficult to maintain his steady relationships off the field as his family was dealing with the divorce of his parents.

“That was really hard for me to go through because I am a family-oriented person and my younger sister, Peyton, had to go through that process too and I had just left for college,” Wilson told Bengals.com’s Michael LaPlaca. “That was a really tough time. Having parents go through a divorce is never a good thing and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

Wilson maintained focus on the season and the challenge at hand. While he mended his off-field relationships, he also put on the weight it took in order to transition into a Division I linebacker.

Gaining about 25 pounds while at Wyoming, Wilson found himself as the leader of the team’s defense and eventually landed on the big board of many scouts. Duke Tobin likely had Wilson on his radar for a while after he finished as a Butkus Award finalist in 2019.

Four years and 400-plus tackles later, Wilson is a Bengal, and he’ll be a key piece of the revitalization of the franchise. Adversity makes for opportunities of growth, and Wilson seems to have the mental makeup of a future leader in the locker room as well.