Kion Wilson puts on his pads, his practice jersey and his cleats, and then he runs out of the Bulls’ locker room. Literally.

It’s a full-on dead sprint, some 350 yards to South Florida’s practice fields. The senior linebacker does it before a three-hour body-bruising session and he does it afterwards, past the teammates limping back and for the brothers who’ll never get the chance.

 Seven months ago, Wilson’s 24-year old brother Herbie was shot in the back of the head after an argument in Miami Gardens. Five months ago, his 29-year old brother Darius was shot while working security at a Miami club. Since then, Herbie and Darius’ little brother has run because “it’s the least I can do,” the little brother said.

“They’re not moving around on this Earth. I am and I can,” he said, seriously, but not somberly.

Wilson’s voice is deep and friendly. He pulls people in and he’s matter-of-fact and though his voice carries sorrow when he speaks of UConn corner Jasper Howard, whose life – like his brothers’ – was suddenly and prematurely taken this past week, he also speaks from a place called perspective.

“You have to cherish every moment you have with them and you have for yourself,” Wilson said. “Every single day.”

Wilson certain pulls the most he can from his own life. After a stint in a Miami juvenile detention center at 13, he convinced his mother to move him and his eight siblings to Jacksonville, where he took his hell-raising onto a football field. Grades sent him to Pearl River Community College and now in his second year at South Florida, on a defense with names like George Selvie, he’s the anchor.

Head coach Jim Leavitt says he ranks with the best linebackers and leaders South Florida has ever had. Linebackers coach David Blackwell, who has a roster of NFL players on his former charge list, says he’s never had an athlete work harder than him. Wilson left the Florida State game with a split hand, got 25 stitches and came back; it’s no wonder first-year defensive coordinator Joe Tresey said, “You want that guy in your foxhole.”

After last week’s disappointing loss to now no. 5 Cincinnati, South Florida (5-1) has a huge tilt at no. 20 Pittsburgh (6-1) Saturday. Wilson said the Bulls are focused and determined, but before then, he had a little time to think about the silly with us. So… Kion Wilson, keeping it brief:

If I was on Dancing with the Stars, my partner would be… “Beyonce.”

The best time of day is… “morning, early morning. It’s the best time to go fishing.”

One thing I don’t do enough of is… “fish.”

My favorite way to relax is… “fishing.”

The last time I voted was… “last November.”

I think Jon and Kate should… “have eight more.”

I should be on the cover of… “Sports Illustrated.”

Mama always says… “life is like a box of chocolates.”

The best show on television is… “The First 48. It’s set in Miami, where I’m from.”

The last celebrity I saw was… “Vince Carter. He was in a club in Tampa.”

I’m addicted to… “fishing.”

A movie about my life would star… “LL Cool J.”

If I starred in movies, I’d play… “the romantic guy.”

The one job I’m glad I don’t have is.. “Coach Leavitt’s.”

The easiest position in football is… “long snapper.”

I hate playing at… “night.”

If I didn’t play football, I’d… “be a professional fisherman.”

My worst habit is… “I pick at my chin hair”

The best restaurant in Tampa is… “Lee Roy Selmon’s.”

If I could take anyone there, it would be… “Beyonce. And no, Jay-Z’s not invited. He can cover the bill though.”

My first car was… “a Buick Le Sabre.”

My dream car is… “an H2 with 30 inch rims. It would be black and chromed head to toe.”

The one non-USF Big East player I’d want on my team is… “Mardy Gilyard.”

My advice to Coach Leavitt is… “Calm down.”

Previous Keep it Briefs: Louisville LB Jon Dempsey, Pitt RB Dion Lewis, Syracuse DT Arthur Jones, UConn QB Cody Endres