NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After taking offensive players with their first two picks, the Titans turned their focus to defense in the third round, selecting University of Connecticut defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson with the 70th overall selection in the NFL Draft.
Many professional scouts regarded the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Wreh-Wilson (pronounced 'bleed-ee ray-wilson') as the most intriguing prospect among the defensive backs eligible for the 2013 NFL Draft.
Blessed with tremendous athletic ability, Connecticut's team captain proved his value to the program, starting seven games in 2011 and leading a Huskies secondary that led the Big East Conference and ranked 10th in the nation in pass efficiency defense (96.44 rating), in addition to pacing the league in total defense (14th in the country with an average of 272.0 yards per game), pass defense (23rd in the FBS with 180.75 ypg) and scoring defense (12th in the nation with an average of 13.5 ppg).
In 2012, the all-Big East Conference first team honoree started 11 games at cornerback, recording 47 tackles (31 solo), nine passes defense and an interception. The longest pass completion against the senior was an 18-yarder vs. Pittsburgh.
For his career, Wreh-Wilson started 40 of 45 games, recording eight interceptions, 27 passes defensed, 181 tackles (131 solo), one sack, three tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and two touchdowns. Only Lawrence Wilson (three; 2007-10) returned more interceptions for scores for the Huskies. His two touchdown returns in 2010 tied the UConn season-record that he shares with Robert McClain (2008), Scott Lutrus (2007) and Justin Perkins (2004). His 171 yards gained via interception returns rank eighth.
In 2010, Wreh-Wilson became the first player in Connecticut annals to return interceptions for touchdowns in consecutive games, racing 46 yards for a score vs. Buffalo (9/25) and 44 yards vs. Vanderbilt (10/02).
