Former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson is "95 percent" certain to play college football next season and has been contacted by 12 schools since the school released him recently to transfer, a source close to the player said Monday.
Wilson has been contacted by multiple unidentified SEC schools and hopes to play for a BCS automatic qualifying team outside the ACC, the source said. Among the SEC schools that could be interested in a transfer quarterback are South Carolina and Auburn.
North Carolina State has decided to go with Mike Glennon as starting quarterback, with coach Tom O'Brien frustrated by Wilson dividing his commitments between football and baseball. O'Brien also believes that the highly recruited Glennon has the tools to be comparable to former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.
Wilson, an infielder, signed a contract with the Colorado Rockies and has been playing with the Asheville (N.C.) Tourists, along with former Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker, also a Rockies' draft choice as an outfielder.
Wilson is hitting .226 with one home run and five RBIs in 21 games. Parker is hitting .368 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 18 games.
Because Wilson has graduated he would be eligible immediately to play one season of football. Wilson threw for 28 touchdowns last season.
Wilson would likely have to leave baseball in early June and is excited about the idea of proving he can quickly learn and succeed in a new offense. Wilson is open to playing in the Canadian Football League in the future and has been weighing that against the prospect of several years in the minor leagues of baseball. Wilson is adjusting to playing every day in baseball and has been thinking about how he's not sure if he's ready to give up his football dream, the source said.
Joe Schad covers college football for ESPN.