J.J. Wilcox may have made some money this week. NFL Network’s Mike Mayock thinks so, anyway.
    In a taped NFL.com segment about players who upped their stock in the 2013 NFL Draft during the week’s practices for 2013 Senior Bowl, which will be played today at 4 p.m. in Mobile, Ala., Mayock mentioned three players — Central Michigan offensive lineman Eric Fisher, California offensive lineman Brian Schwenke and Wilcox.
    Mayock referred to Wilcox as a “215-pound safety with corner feet.” He continued, “I think he's an immediate starter in the NFL. He can help you on special teams. This is a guy that I've really enjoyed watching.”
    Wilcox is getting plenty of attention from coaches, NFL scouts and the media.
    He was even approached by the NFL Network about the possibility of wearing a microphone during the game.
    “I told them, ‘Hey, just let me know. I’ll definitely do it,’ ” said Wilcox, who said Friday the network hadn’t yet let him know for sure if he’d be wearing it.  “Just stay tuned. Tune into NFL Network and who knows? Georgia Southern might be miked up during the game. That would be great national exposure for Georgia Southern.”    
    And to think, in 2010, Wilcox almost quit football.
    When head coach Jeff Monken came to GSU after the 2009 season, he moved Wilcox from wide receiver to slotback.
    “I was upset," Wilcox said in spring of 2010 when asked about the switch. "I had to call my dad on the phone and I was like, ‘Dad, I don’t know how to play running back. I don’t know how to read seams and gaps.’ He was like, ‘Just hang in there.’ Personally I went and talked to coach Monken. He sat down to talk with me and told me it would be the best adjustment. He said, ‘Don’t you like to run and catch?’ I said, ‘Yes sir.’ ”
That day taught Wilcox a valuable lesson. When the time came to move to safety — which happened during the spring of 2012 — Wilcox jumped at the chance.
    “Ever since that day, I learned how to be humble and patient,” Wilcox said. “My dad always taught me to always give it my all and lay it on the line every day. I learned how to succeed in different environments — coming from wide receiver to running back then from running back to safety.”
    Wilcox went from being a big-play threat on offense to a leader on defense overnight. In 2012, he led the team in pass breakups (7), tied for the lead in interceptions (2) and was second in tackles (88).
    Wilcox expects to see plenty of playing time today.
    “We have a three-player rotation (at safety),” he said. “I’m supposed to get a lot of playing time. The coaching staff, they really liked me. They liked my effort, and it’s just been a great week.”
    Wilcox also returned kicks in Senior Bowl practice. He led GSU with 31 kickoff returns for 780 yards during the 2012 season.
    Playing alongside the nation’s best college seniors has been tough on Wilcox, but he also remembers the wind sprints, up-downs and drills all too frequent at GSU practice.
    “That’s coach Monken,” Wilcox said. “He teaches humility and effort and intensity. If you can’t apply those on the field, it’s not going to work under coach Monken. It’s paid off. If you settle for less, you get less. If you push hard, you get the reward at the end.”
    The easiest part of the week leading up to the Senior Bowl, said Wilcox, is being drilled on his personal life by NFL staffs.
    “At the end of the day, I think it’s pretty easy. Just be honest,” Wilcox said. “They want to know everything about you. They kind of get a personal feeling for you. You get to show your personality, who you really are and the kind of player that you are. It’s nothing off the wall.”
    Wilcox will wear the same number he had at GSU — No. 19 — for the Senior Bowl South team.

   Matt Yogus may be reached at (912) 489-9408.