Adrian Wilson (American football)

Adrian Lemar Wilson (born October 12, 1979) is an American football strong safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Wilson played college football for North Carolina State University, and was selected in the third round (64th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Cardinals.

College career
Wilson attended North Carolina State University, where he was a two-year starter at strong safety for the NC State Wolfpack football team. In 33 games [and 23 starts] with the Wolfpack, he posted 254 total tackles (144 solo tackles, 11 tackles-for-losses), 11 pass deflections and three passes intercepted. His 248 total tackles was the most by an NC State defensive back since James Walker collected 289 stops from 1993 to 1995. At the end of his junior year, Wilson forwent his senior season to enter the 2001 NFL Draft.

2001 NFL Draft
At 213 pounds, Wilson ran a 4.45 sec 40-yard dash at the 2001 pre-draft combine and was considered a second-round prospect. He also has a standing vertical leap of 42 inches, and he was shown in a YouTube video jumping over a 66 inch hurdle. He was selected with the second pick in the third round (64th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals
In 2006, Wilson earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. In his career, he has recorded 839 tackles, 54.0 tackles for a loss, 22.5 sacks, 26 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 82 passes defended, 4 return touchdowns, and a blocked punt. During the 2005 season, he set an NFL record for the most sacks in a season by a defensive back with eight. During the playoffs in 2009, he helped lead the Cardinals to its first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII 27-23.

On June 4, 2009, the Cardinals re-signed Wilson to a new five-year, $39 million contract, with $18.5 million guaranteed. On December 26, Wilson recorded a sack against the St. Louis Rams which put him in the 20/20 club (20 sacks and 20 interceptions).

On July 24, 2012, Wilson agreed to sign an extension throughout the 2015 season with the Cardinals.

On December 16, 2012, Wilson recorded a sack against the Detroit Lions which put him in the 25/25 club (25 sacks and 25 interceptions). Wilson became just the sixth player in NFL history to do this. Currently has 25.5 Sacks and 27 INTS

NFL Records

 * Most sacks in a single season by a Defensive Back (8 in 2005)

Cardinals franchise Records

 * Most career forced fumbles (15)
 * Longest interception return touchdown: 99 (tied with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie)
 * Most passes defended (95)

Personal
Wilson attended T. Wingate Andrews HS in High Point, North Carolina. Wilson is married to wife Alicia Wilson, with three children, one which was born shortly after the Cardinals loss to the Saints in the 2009 Divisional Round. He owns a designer shoe store in Arizona called High Point.