"It was great," said Wilder of the spring game. "I actually got to show people what I could do. They think I am just a track guy so I just wanted to prove a point.
"It was great because I got hurt last semester - the fall - and it hurt me because I wasn't able to be out here with my team."
And the 6-foot-5 and 210-pound Wilder did just that.
Known more for his abilities in the 400 meters (one of the best in the nation), Wilder ended the spring session with quite a statement.
Wilder had four catches for 122 yards, including a game-long 63-yard grab from quarterback Chris Relf.
On that long first-half completion, Wilder reached over defensive back Marvin Bure for a big play. But that might not have been his most impressive catch of the spring game.
On the first series for the White squad, Relf found Wilder down the left sideline and threw into coverage. The ball was initially tipped by Bure but Wilder would not give up on the play and hauled in the batted ball for a 21-yard reception.
"I was kinda frustrated because the defensive back batted the ball down," said Wilder. "I just knew I couldn't quit because my team was depending on me. So I found the ball, put my hands on it and caught it."
During spring ball, the Bulldogs' offense didn't "quit" either on the new schemes installed by Dan Mullen and the offensive staff.
With each passing week, the offense looked more and more comfortable. It was a matter of just gaining more knowledge, said Wilder.
"It has been a major confidence-builder," said Wilder. "At first, we really didn't know what we were doing. We just learned the plays, learned the plays and learned the plays. It was just about repitition and making us more comfortable and now we can go full speed.
"In the beginning, it was strictly a lack of not knowing what we were doing."
Like his offensive teammates, Wilder was a work-in-progress this spring.
Recovering from off-season knee surgery, Wilder was limited in the early stages of spring practice yet got more involved in contact drills every week.
After the spring game, Wilder noted he was about "85 to 90" percent healthy. With time to rest, Wilder expects to be full speed when players return for pre-season practice.
"I think, since we are off for spring now, I can work hard this summer and be 100 percent by the fall," said Wilder. "(The knee) is pretty good right now and I haven't had any problems with it this spring. I just need to get it stronger, that's all."
Of course, as a two-sport athlete, one would think Wilder would not have much time to rest.
Last spring, Wilder quickly made his mark on the track. The Carthage native finished second in the 400 meters at the 2008 SEC Championships and qualified for the nationals. He also helped the MSU 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams reach the NCAA Regionals.
He also participated in 2008 spring practice until a minor injury limited his time. Then after an honor-filled track campaign, Wilder injured his knee early in preseason practice and redshirted in 2008.
But this spring, Wilder may not have as much on his plate.
"I am going to talk to my (track) coaches," said Wilder. "We've had discussions and we are thinking about me redshirting this year. I told them I wanted to stick with football this spring so I can be 100 percent when the fall comes.
"That way, I don't have to worry about anything or over-stressing my knee. I haven't played football in two years now so I want to make sure I am ready this fall."
And speaking of the fall, Wilder believes the Bulldogs' receivers will make their own statement. The group was hampered somewhat this spring with injuries to Brandon McRae (recovering from broken leg), Delmon Robinson (hamstring), Leon Berry (shoulder) and Terrance Davis (sickness).
But now, most have fully recovered and by the fall, Wilder and McRae should be in the same boat, health-wise.
With a new "spread" mindset and heathy bodies, Wilder likes the future of State's receiving corps.
And he displays that confidence in the group's top goal for 2009.
"We are going to be a very dangerous receiving corps," said Wilder. "It was just a matter of getting guys back healthy, and we will be even more dangerous when Brandon gets back this summer.
"We are just trying to be the No. 1 receiving corps in the nation."
