From Temple to Jets, Wilkerson sees his dream come true
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Muhammad Wilkerson - like most of his New York Jets teammates - will strap on a pair of oversize headphones before Sunday's game against the Eagles and turn up the volume. The former Temple standout will play his preferred track: "Big Dreams" by North Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Muhammad Wilkerson - like most of his New York Jets teammates - will strap on a pair of oversize headphones before Sunday's game against the Eagles and turn up the volume. The former Temple standout will play his preferred track: "Big Dreams" by North Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill.
"Ever watch a dream manifest? There's nothing like it," the song's introduction says.
Wilkerson's dream started in Linden, N.J. It carried him to a Virginia prep school and then three seasons at Temple. The kid who left high school with a lone scholarship offer blossomed into a first-round NFL draft pick. He has since become one of the league's premier defensive players.
Wilkerson attacks opposing offenses with his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame. His long arms pester quarterbacks, as Wilkerson tips passes with regularity. The 25-year-old is almost impossible to game-plan against. Last week, Pro Football Focus ranked Wilkerson as the league's top 3-4 defensive end, but throughout the game he will play each of the three defensive line spots in the Jets' 3-4 formation.
Wilkerson helped create two interceptions last Monday as the Jets defense clamped down on Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. Wilkerson tipped a pass that was intercepted. He later hit Luck as the quarterback tossed an interception, sealing New York's win.
"He's really coming on," Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said.
Wilkerson excelled at North Jersey's Linden High, but did not have the resources to attend prestigious football camps. His college exposure took a hit. Wilkerson's only offer came from Temple. He committed to the Owls and spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy before heading to North Philadelphia in 2008.
Wilkerson started every game as a sophomore and junior. He was a defensive tackle with the speed of a linebacker and the awareness of a cornerback. Wilkerson racked up 91/2 sacks as a junior and was named Temple's defensive MVP. He became the first player in school history to enter the draft early and was Temple's first first-round pick in 24 years.
Temple head coach Matt Rhule said Wilkerson is indicative of what Temple is trying to do: take players with little recruiting attention and develop them to their full potential.
"This is all due to the people at Temple believing in me and giving me a scholarship," Wilkerson said. "Preparing me for the next level, for here. They pretty much made part of the man that I am on the field and off the field."
Wilkerson's locker at the Jets practice facility is two stalls from that of Jaiquawn Jarrett, his former Temple teammate. Jarrett said Wilkerson was "unblockable at times" during their time at Temple. Jarrett, a safety, would watch as opponents double- teamed Wilkerson. Their only hope, Jarrett said, was to slow him down.
"He's a playmaker. Whenever he steps on that field, he's an exciting play waiting to happen," Jarrett said. "At any given moment, he can change the game. You can see that he's one of those players that you need to game-plan for."
The Jets drafted Wilkerson with the 30th pick in the 2011 draft. He soon launched his own foundation - TEAM 96. The foundation centers on Wilkerson's hometown. He raises money for college scholarships, delivers Thanksgiving dinners, and hosts the football camps Wilkerson never had the chance to attend. He is helping others manifest their dreams.
"I just decided that I need to do something for kids that may not have gotten that chance like I did," Wilkerson said. "I want to support my community and give back to the people who helped me out."
@matt_breen