Muhammad Wilkerson

Muhammad Wilkerson

No. 96     New York Jets
Defensive End
Personal information
Date of birth: October 22, 1989 (1989-10-22) (age 22)
Place of birth: Linden, New Jersey
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	Weight: 315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
College: Temple
NFL Draft: 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30
Debuted in 2011 for the New York Jets
Career history
New York Jets (2011–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
None
Career NFL statistics as of Week 10, 2011
Tackles	25
Sacks	1.0
Forced fumbles	0
Stats at NFL.com

Muhammad Wilkerson (born October 22, 1989) is an American football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Temple.

Early years

Wilkerson attended Linden High School in his hometown of Linden, New Jersey. He helped lead Linden to state titles during his junior and senior years in basketball.^[1]

College career

After high school, Wilkerson spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy and subsequently enrolled at Temple University.^[1] As a freshman at Temple in 2008, Wilkerson played in 11 games and recorded 13 tackles and a sack. As a sophomore in 2009 he started all 13 games and recorded 58 tackles and six sacks.

As a junior in 2010 Wilkerson recorded 68 tackles and 10 sacks.^[2] Following his junior season, he was named to the first-team All-MAC selection and the team defensive MVP.^[1]

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measureables

Ht	Wt	Arm length	Hand size	40-yd dash	10-yd split	20-yd split	20-ss	3-cone	Vert	Broad	BP	Wonderlic
6 ft 4 in	315 lb	35¼ in	10 in	4.96 s	1.73 s	2.78 s	4.59 s	7.31 s	26 in	8 ft 10 in	27 rep	N/A
All values from NFL Combine.[3][4]

Wilkerson was initially what analysts termed "a sleeper selection"; however, following positive results at the NFL Combine and at Temple's Pro Day session, Wilkerson's draft stock rose significantly.^[5] He became regarded as a versatile prospect whom NFL Network Anaylst Mike Mayock compared to Trevor Pryce, concluding that Wilkerson was a first round prospect.^[5][6][7]

New York Jets

Wilkerson was drafted by the New York Jets with the thirtieth overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.^[8] He was the fourth Temple player to be drafted by the Jets, proceeding Mike Stromberg, Joe Klecko and Dave Yovanovits.^[9] He also became the Owls' highest draft pick since Paul Palmer, who was selected nineteenth overall in the 1987 NFL Draft.^[10] Head coach Rex Ryan reiterated Wilkerson possesses similar attributes to Trevor Pryce.^[9] Wilkerson signed a four-year, $7.4 million contract on July 31, 2011.^[11]

Wilkerson recorded his first career sack on September 18, 2011, sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Luke McCown in the end zone for a safety.^[12]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Former Linden High star Muhammad Wilkerson likely to be first New Jerseyan selected in 2011 NFL Draft NJ.com, April 25, 2011
2. ^ ESPN.com stats
3. ^ "Muhammad Wilkerson". NFL Draft Scout. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJUuJd9W. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
4. ^ "Muhammad Wilkerson". National Football League. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJVjjCgd. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Wilson, Aaron (March 21, 2011). "Temple DL Muhammad Wilkerson to work out for Ravens, Chiefs this week". National Football Post. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJXVkWB4. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
6. ^ "Defensive players lead the way on list of top 32 prospects". National Football League. March 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJWtIwuH. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
7. ^ Cimini, Rich (April 15, 2011). "Wilkerson taking long trip to NFL draft". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJXiOqZJ. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
8. ^ Cimini, Rich (April 29, 2011). "Jets go safe route with Wilkerson". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJXqLcma. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Associated Press (April 29, 2011). "Jets select Temple DL Wilkerson at No. 30". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJZ0NZfX. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
10. ^ Pompey, Keith (April 29, 2011). "Jets take Temple's Wilkerson in first round". Philly.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yJYUSOLY. Retrieved April 29, 2011. 
11. ^ Cimini, Rich (July 31, 2011). "Jets officially sign Santonio Holmes". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/61vG53B9x. Retrieved September 23, 2011. 
12. ^ Associated Press (September 18, 2011). "Sanchez, defense lead Jets past Jaguars, 32-3". New York Post. Archived from the original on September 23, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/61vGFJ9Qx. Retrieved September 23, 2011. 

External links

• New York Jets bio
• Temple Owls bio