Aidyn Wiggins, truthfully, had no choice but to fall in love with football.
Growing up around three cousins who all played at prominent Division I schools, Wiggins was indoctrinated into the sport at an early age.
“I was probably around five years old when I first fell in love with the game,” said Wiggins. “I come from a big family, and I had a lot of cousins who played and loved it.”
Not just any cousins. Try former Clemson/South Carolina RB Tavien Feaster, former Appalachian State WR Jacoby Pinckney, and former South Carolina and Carolina Panthers WR Shi Smith.
How’s that for family ties?
“I grew up mostly with Tavien, but they all were big influences for me,” said Wiggins. “They taught me pretty much everything I know, gave me a ton of motivation, things you need to hear at a young age. I saw them grow up and play D-1 football, so that became a goal for me.”
Wiggins has a large family, and it’s something that’s shaped him for the better.
In fact, when he suits up on Friday nights at defensive back for Byrnes, that’s who he’s playing for.
Wiggins’ family is his “why.”
“My family is everything. My dad is someone I’m extremely close with, especially,” said Wiggins. “He’s been there with me every step of the way, reminding me of everything I know.”
Lately, Wiggins has been displaying arguably the best run of performances of his career. He’s become the Rebels’ lockdown No.1 corner, and Wiggins is living up to the hype of that role.
In the Rebels’ past three games, Wiggins has allowed just one reception for five yards. He returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown in Byrnes’ regular-season finale at Boiling Springs.
His emergence as a star has been a welcome treat for the Rebels.
“He truly has become a lockdown guy for us,” said Byrnes head coach Reggie Shaw. “He goes out there week in and week out and can shut down a team’s best receiver. I’m really proud of him for the work he’s put in. He’s got all the intangibles to be a great cornerback.
“He’s going to get a heck of a challenge this week and the rest of the way.”
Wiggins will be up against talented receivers this week as Byrnes opens the 5-A D-1 playoffs in round 2 against Rock Hill. And should Byrnes advance further in the playoffs, it gets no easier from there.
Wiggins, who is also a standout track-and-field star for the Rebels, will be tried with fire for as long as Byrnes keeps playing, facing off with some of the best receivers in the state from here on out.
He’s more than up for the challenge. Wiggins knows what rides on these next games.
“I know I’ve been playing well lately, but I know I’ve got more, too,” said Wiggins. “This is the last year for my seniors — guys like Josh Kyerefo, Justice Hopkins, Treyvon McCollough, Caine Rogers, Cole Searfross, who I’ve been close with — and I want to make sure they get a good playoff run under their belt.
“We want to get all the way to state. We believe we can do it.”
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