Aug 30, 2012; Provo, UT, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Marquess Wilson (86) sits on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
March 6th was supposed to be Marquess Wilson’s pro day. Jeff Tuel and Marquess Wilson had both received permission to work out with Eastern Washington’s pro day but the NFL said otherwise. In what seemed to be a last minute decision, the NFL cited rules that players from lower division schools i.e. Eastern Washington, are allowed to attend upper division schools pro day events i.e. Washington State, but not vice versa. The Spokesman Review’s Christian Caple broke it down yesterday via Twitter:
Wilson's agent, Cameron Foster, said there is a rule that states players are only allowed to participate in a pro day on their college ...
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) March 7, 2013
... campus, or at their high school in their hometown. But there's a provision that allows players to participate in a pro day at ...
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) March 7, 2013
... another state school, as long as they have permission. Tuel and Wilson had permission from EWU. But that rule is apparently designed ...
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) March 7, 2013
... to allow players from smaller schools to participate in bigger schools' pro days, and not the other way around.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) March 7, 2013
At one point it appeared that Wilson and Washington State had come to an agreement to allow him to work out with the Cougs during their official pro day on Friday. Gil Brandt of NFL.com sent out a tweet thought to confirm this:
WR Marquess Wilson will work out tomorrow at 10am PT for teams at WSU. Was originally slated for today at Eastern Wash PD. #NFLDraft
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 6, 2013
However, that was quickly refuted by Christian Caple and by Ian Furness of KJR after Brandt sent his tweet.
Wilson told me he'd love to work out at WSU's pro day tomorrow, but the school won't let him.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) March 6, 2013
Contrary to what some are reporting, I am told Marquess Wilson is NOT working out at #WSU tomorrow. #NFL
— Ian Furness (@IanFurnessSea) March 6, 2013
Unfortunately for Wilson, what should have been a showcase of his skills, turned into a highlight of his past with Washington State. Wilson will still have a shot to impress NFL teams in private workouts, but those are expected to be limited. Wilson will need to exceed all expectations, in the limited opportunities he has available to him before the draft, if he hopes to hear his name called in April.