Stuck behind more veteran options at center, Sheridan Wilson said Tuesday he spent his first two years with the Texas Tech football team feeling undervalued.

That's not uncommon for an offensive lineman playing in the Big 12 with the last name Wilson. The Tech redshirt sophomore said the same thing happened to his older brother Preston, who is now a four-year starter at Oklahoma State.

"He's a huge role model for me," Sheridan said, "because when he first got there, things were not going well for him. Kind of like me. I felt like I was overlooked and he was too, then he just kind of quickly rode up the depth chart."

The Wilson brothers both spent their true freshman seasons not playing a snap at their respective schools, which is pretty common for linemen. Preston, though, appeared in 11 games for the Cowboys as a redshirt freshman, earning the starting nod in four the the team's final six games. He's appeared in 37 games the last three years, starting 30 of those contests.

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Sheridan didn't see that kind of action in 2023. He served as the backup to Rusty Staats, who Texas Tech brought in from Western Kentucky to add a veteran presence at center, and later Dennis Wilburn, who moved to center late in the season. Wilson made his collegiate debut against Tarleton State and didn't return to the field until the Independence Bowl.

Tech's new offensive line coach Clay McGuire thinks Wilson waiting his turn has paid dividends for the Argyle alum.

"Everybody wants to recruit these kids and go out there and think they should play as true freshmen," McGuire said. "At that position, it's really hard. Most of the time when you're getting guys that are able to develop a couple years and get their first opportunities as sophomores, that's usually the best way possible."

McGuire was hired in February, just before Tech opened spring practice. Since then, McGuire said, Wilson has not missed a single rep during practice. Memphis transfer Davion Carter was expected to take over at center when he joined the team, but it was Wilson at the top of the depth chart when spring ball closed.

"I think it was just a timing thing for him," McGuire said of Wilson, "as far as him getting his opportunity, and the time he's probably most ready."

Wilson said McGuire has made an impact on him since his arrival, expanding his football IQ and instilling confidence in the 6-foot-5, 300 pounder. Wilson said his main objective after last season was to become a starter — which he is on track to accomplish — and help the Red Raiders win a Big 12 championship.

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To do that, Tech will need to get by Wilson's brother's team, Oklahoma State. The Red Raiders will visit Stillwater in November. When that game comes, all bets are off between the siblings. Before then, Preston is always willing to lend a helping hand to Sterling, even if that means guiding him through his own struggles.

"He never gave up and he was always a hard worker," Sheridan said. "That's his mentality. He doesn't care how his day is or who's in front of him. He's just going to keep on grinding."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football's Wilson goes from 'overlooked' to potential starter