Alabama's multitude of five-star football signees typically fall into three categories as freshmen for the Crimson Tide.
Some become immediate stars, such as receiver Calvin Ridley last season or right tackle Jonah Williams this year. Others sit out while redshirting, which cornerback Marlon Humphrey did in 2014 and linebacker Ben Davis did this season.
Then there are those who come off the bench to contribute or provide some punch on special teams, and that's where linebacker Mack Wilson fits on this year's team.
"Overall, I've been really happy," Wilson said earlier this month. "I started off facing a little bit of adversity, because I wasn't starting on anything, so I just kept working and stayed humble about the whole situation. I finally got an opportunity, and I took advantage of it.
"I came in this summer weighing around 251, and I had to lose a lot because I was slacking on some of the running that we did because of some back issues. I got my weight down to 234, and ever since then, I've been moving good and feeling good."
On Thursday morning, the No. 1 Crimson Tide (13-0) wrapped up on-campus preparation for their Dec. 31 showdown with Washington (12-1) in the Peach Bowl national semifinal.
Lyndell "Mack" Wilson signed with Alabama as the nation's No. 15 overall prospect and No. 2 outside linebacker in the 247Sports.com composite rankings. He has played sparingly at inside linebacker behind veterans Reuben Foster, Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans, with his more notable plays this season occurring in football's other phases.
In the 48-0 rout of Kent State on Sept. 24, Wilson lined up as a fullback in the third quarter and caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from fellow freshman Jalen Hurts. That is his only offensive stat of the season.
Wilson's most recognized play was a helmet-to-helmet leveling of Texas A&M's Speedy Noil on a kickoff return during the Crimson Tide's 33-14 win over the Aggies on Oct. 22. That tackle drew instant criticism, but it also resulted in coach Nick Saban rushing to his defense.
"It was a great hit," Saban said two days after the Texas A&M game before a speaking engagement in Birmingham. "I know some people made something about the fact that it was targeting, but it was not an unprotected player. The guy is running with the ball.
"We always tell our players that we want you to lower your target and see what you hit, even when you tackle, so we don't get into those situations, but that wasn't a foul because it wasn't an unprotected player."
Wilson left his feet to make contact with Noil's facemask, but according to the NCAA rulebook a kick returner is defenseless when he hasn't gathered the ball or hasn't had time to protect himself. Noil, who was examined for a concussion and returned to the game, was 15 yards into his kickoff return when Wilson arrived.
The Texas A&M game was Wilson's favorite until the former Carver (Montgomery) High School star collected a pair of tackles in the 54-16 drubbing of Florida in the Southeastern Conference title game. He has played in all 13 games for the undefeated Tide, making seven stops and recovering a fumble at Arkansas.
Hamilton was lost for the season against the Gators, so Wilson could be needed a bit more in Atlanta against the Pac-12 champion Huskies.
"Having to wait your turn can be really tough, but I like challenges," Wilson said. "I don't want anything given to me. Every day in practice, I've known that Reuben and Shaun Dion have been starting in front of me.
"You've also got Rashaan and Keith Holcombe, so I just went hard every day and tried to get coaches to recognize me."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.