MANHATTAN — Football has always been a family affair for Chuck and Meg Wilson.
From the time their son started playing football at Kansas State University, Braden Wilson has been their connection to big-time football.
The Wilsons have always used college football as a gathering place for family members to meet. Meg is the Hoisington High School principal. Chuck works as a banker for The Peoples Bank.
Four of Meg Wilson’s sisters, a brother and their spouses attended last Saturday’s home football game, coming from Wyoming, Arizona, Oregon, Minnesota, Nebraska and New Mexico. There were several dozen family members in attendance for Saturday’s game against North Texas.
“This is our family time the past four years. Most of the family members have seen Braden play at least once, but this is as many as we’ve had here at the same time,” Meg Wilson said. “It’s truly been a celebration for our family. If they are not here, they are busy texting me what they are saying on television.”
The 6-foot-4, 254-pound Wilson has earned a reputation as one of the building blocks in Kansas State’s running game. Week-by-week, analysts who break down plays identify Wilson as the blocking back at the point of the Wildcats’ offense.
Wilson has been earmarked as the top-ranked fullback in college football by Mel Kiper, ESPN recruiting guru.   
“Braden needs to have a great year and he’s got to pass through the combines next spring,” Chuck Wilson said. “Braden has lofty goals, and we hope he achieves them.”  
Meg Wilson said her son is accustomed to flying under the radar and is not accustomed to such lofty praise.
“Braden’s goal is to stay healthy and stay focused as a football player and student,” she said. “He’s also worked hard in school and he’ll have some job opportunies once he graduates and when his football career is over.”
Wilson has gained a reputation as the lead blocker for K-State quarterback Collin Klein, a Heisman trophy darkhorse candidate. When Wilson plays, K-State’s offense naturally runs his way in a series of quarterback keepers, quick passes and handoffs.
“You hope that Braden keeps playing and they utilize him to his best of his ability, but Braden knows his role is a blocker,” Chuck Wilson said. “Braden’s job is to help Collin Klein score touchdowns.
“This is the best that Braden has felt physically in the past four years.”
Smith Center assistant football coach Brock Hutchinson remembers Braden as a player who kept working to achieve his goal of playing Division I football.
“Coach (Bill) Snyder has always said he wishes he had more players like Braden,” Hutchinson said. “As a freshman at Smith Center, Braden was not overly talented. But he kept working to get better every day as a football player in high school. Braden always had a lot of determination.”
Braden redshirted his first year at Kansas State after winning four state championships at Smith Center High School, but he quickly caught Snyder’s attention with his consistent work ethic.
“Braden came in with pretty lofty goals. He said he wanted to start as a freshman,” his father said. “Braden has always believed if you work hard, you can achieve your goals. We’re awfully proud of him.”
The Wilsons’ road leads to Norman, Okla., for Saturday’s Big 12 opener to be televised by FOX. No. 6 Oklahoma beat the No. 15 ranked Wildcats 58-17 last season.
“Oklahoma will be a huge test for us, especially after what happened last year,” Chuck Wilson said. “We’re optimistic. K-State played pretty good against Miami.”