Russell Wilson will have jersey, name honored by NC State

Jan 30, 2014; Jersey City, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) at a press conference at The Westin in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson played for the North Carolina State Wolfpack from 2008-10, and now he will be honored by his former college team.

Wilson passed for 8,545 yards and 76 touchdowns as the quarterback of the Wolfpack and he will join Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams in getting his jersey honored at NC State’s spring game on April 12.

Wilson’s No. 16 jersey will not be retired, but it will be designated to the coaches to assign the number as a symbol of honor. The jersey will also have a special patch on it.

"“This is truly an amazing honor and I am looking forward to being back in Raleigh and Carter-Finley Stadium,” Wilson said in NC State’s official press announcement. “My experience at NC State was an amazing one playing football and baseball but also accomplishing my goal of graduating in three years. My memories of playing as the quarterback for the Wolfpack are never ending and the roar of the Wolfpack Nation still rings in my ear from memorable wins against FSU and UNC!“I learned the value of great leadership, ultimate sacrifice, and the relentless belief that hard work pays off. I am grateful for all of my amazing teammates and players past, present, and future. I can still taste and sense the blood, sweat, and tears we all sacrificed to be successful.”"

Wilson originally intended to play all four of his collegiate years for the Wolfpack, but he left the school after having differences with then-head coach Tom O’Brien, who didn’t want Wilson to miss offseason practices by attending spring training with the Colorado Rockies in 2010.

Wilson transferred to the University of Wisconsin where he led the Badgers to 11 wins (more than half of the 20 wins he had in three years at NC State) and a Big Ten title.

The Badgers finished the season ranked No. 10 in the nation and made it to the Rose Bowl before  falling to the Oregon Ducks in the highest-scoring Rose Bowl game ever. Wilson threw for 296 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 45-38 loss.

In 2012, Wilson was drafted by the Seahawks and less than two years later, he led the team to their first Super Bowl win.