Ocoee community mourns death of former football standout Aaron Wilson

Wilson, who was previously at Ocoee High before transferring to St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md., died Monday, April 26 from cancer.

By Troy Herring
| 4:30 p.m. April 27, 2021

Aaron Wilson works on his tackling during a practice before the start of Ocoee's 2019 season. (File photo)

Sports

The Ocoee community is in mourning following the news that Aaron Wilson — a former Ocoee High School football standout — died yesterday after a year-long battle with cancer Monday, April 26, at just the age of 17.

The news was announced yesterday by Lewis' current school, St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md.

"Today, we lost one of our scholars to a long and hard fought battle with cancer," the school stated in a Facebook post. "We want to extend prayers to his family as well as our Saint Frances Academy school family as we remember Aaron Wilson, Class of 2022."

Wilson, who passed away Monday morning at his father's home in Ocoee, was diagnosed with a midline glioma tumor early in 2020.

Before his death, Wilson was a standout defensive end for the Knights program before deciding to make the move to Baltimore to finish out his remaining high school seasons. As a member of the 2022 recruiting class, Wilson was a four-star recruit by 247Sports and ranked the No. 4 overall prospect in the state of Maryland, while being the No. 87 overall prospect in the class.

“Good frame with length,” wrote 247Sports’ National Recruiting Analyst Brian Dohn in his evaluation of Wilson. “Plays 235 and can easily get to 255. Athletic, plays fast and with energy. Great burst off edge. Can beat offensive lineman with speed, power or technique. Good body control when tackling in space. Field awareness is a plus. Can stack and shed when ball is run his way. Has speed and motor to chase plays down back side.

“Possesses athleticism to drop into coverage in certain packages,” he said. “Has to continue to add upper body strength. Refining technique and developing counters within a play important. Needs to be more consistent with assignment integrity. Multi-year starter at Top 10 program. NFL first round draft potential.”

Wilson held offers from a slew of different Power 5 schools, including Florida, Florida State and Texas.

The news of Wilson's death — which came a year following the tragic death of Ocoee football player Dexter Rentz — spread quickly across social media, and was met with numerous heartfelt messages.

“It breaks my heart to hear tragic news about this young man today,” said Ocoee assistant coach Henry Anderson in a tweet. “I coached Aaron Wilson for one season. He belongs on my Wall with his former teammates. RIP Aaron.”