A native of Jackson, Miss., Tavarius Wilson was a two-time All-American linebacker at North Alabama in 2012-13 and was selected as Division II National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2013. He helped lead UNA to 10-3 record in 2013 that included a share of the Gulf South Conference Championship. The Lions then advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.Â
A transfer to UNA from Hinds (Miss.) Community College, Wilson earned first-team Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American honors after leading the Gulf South Conference in tackles in 2012 with 112. He became just the fourth UNA Lion since 1999 with more than 100 tackles in a season. He was selected first-team All-GSC and was GSC Defensive Player of the Week after UNA's season-opening win over Miles. He had six games with 10 or more tackles, including a season-high 18 against West Georgia. He ranked seventh nationally in Division II in tackles.Â
As a senior in 2013 he was a first-team selection on six different All-American teams and was named Division II National Defensive Player of the Year by Beyond Sports Network (BSN). He was named first-team All-American by Daktronics, Don Hansen, D2Football.com, the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association and Beyond Sports Network. He was selected Super Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year by both Daktronics and Don Hansen and was also Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-team All-Gulf South Conference pick and GSC Defensive Player of the Week three times. He made 123 total tackles in 2013 with 63 solo and 60 assists, 7.5 tackles for loss of 23 yards, four sacks for 16 yards, four interceptions that he returned for 69 yards and two touchdowns, forced three fumbles and blocked a kick.Â
Following his time at UNA, he signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management/Marketing focused in Interdisciplinary Studies from UNA in 2015.
He is currently Associate Director/Vice President of Tower Loan, overseeing Mississippi and Louisiana, and expanding into Florida.Â
He and his wife Britney have two children.
