Muhammad_Wilkerson

Muhammad Wilkerson

Muhammad Wilkerson

American football player (born 1989)

Muhammad Hassan "Mo" Wilkerson (born October 22, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Temple Owls, and was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.

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Wilkerson remained with the Jets for seven seasons, where he was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 and a two-time Second-team All-Pro selection in 2013 and 2015. In 2017, Wilkerson's relationship with the franchise soured due to violations of team rules, leading to his release after the season. He then signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2018, but missed most of the season due to injury.

Early life

Wilkerson attended Linden High School in his hometown of Linden, New Jersey. He recorded 78 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in his senior season.[1] He was named to the All-Watchung Conference first-team in his junior season.[1] He was selected to the Home News Tribune all-area first-team and Newark Star Ledger all-Union County second-team.[1] He also helped lead Linden to state titles during his junior and senior years in basketball.[2]

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College career

After high school, Wilkerson spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy. He subsequently enrolled at Temple University, where he played for the Temple Owls football team.[2] 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.[3] Following his junior season, he was named to the first-team All-MAC selection and the team defensive MVP.[2]

Professional career

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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.[6] He became regarded as a versatile prospect whom NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock compared to Trevor Pryce, concluding that Wilkerson was a first round prospect.[6][7][8]

New York Jets

Wilkerson was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round with the thirtieth overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.[9][10] He was the fourth Temple player to be drafted by the Jets, preceded by Mike Stromberg, Joe Klecko and Dave Yovanovits.[11] He also became the Owls' highest draft pick since Paul Palmer, who was selected nineteenth overall in the 1987 NFL draft.[12] Head coach Rex Ryan reiterated Wilkerson possesses similar attributes to Trevor Pryce.[11] Wilkerson signed a four-year, $7.4 million contract on July 31, 2011.[13]

2011 season

During the third preseason game against the New York Giants, Wilkerson got into a fight with running back Brandon Jacobs, resulting in both players getting ejected. He made his NFL debut in the season opener on September 11 against the Dallas Cowboys,[14] and recorded his first career sack a week later, sacking Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Luke McCown in the end zone for a safety.[15] Wilkerson started all 16 games in 2011 making 49 tackles with 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 safety enforced.

2012 season

During a game against the Seattle Seahawks on November 11, 2012, Wilkerson scooped up a fumble lost by Russell Wilson and returned it for a touchdown. The Jets lost the game 7–28, however. In 16 games (15 starts) of 2012, Wilkerson made 69 tackles with 5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

2013 season

Wilkerson signing autographs in April 2013.

Wilkerson finished the 2013 season with a combined 63 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 FF, and an interception. For his outstanding play, he was selected to the second All-Pro team by the Associated Press.

2014 season

On April 18, 2014, the Jets picked up the fifth-year, $6.96 million option of Wilkerson's rookie contract.[16] During a game against the Green Bay Packers on September 14, 2014, he was disqualified for the first time in a regular season game for getting into a scuffle with several Packers players following their go-ahead touchdown.[17] On September 20, 2014, Wilkerson was fined $20,000 by the NFL for his role in the brawl.[18] In 13 starts, Wilkerson finished the year with 56 tackles, 6 sacks, 5 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble.

2015 season

During Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills on January 3, 2016, Wilkerson suffered a broken leg and was carted off the field as the Jets lost the game 17–22 and were eliminated from playoff contention despite finishing the year with a 10–6 record.[19] In 16 games, Wilkerson made 64 tackles, 12 sacks, 7 passes defended, and 3 fumble recoveries. He was a Pro Bowl selection for the first time of his career. He was ranked 39th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[20]

Wilkerson was selected for the 2016 Pro Bowl, but was unable to participate due to a right fibula fracture sustained during the Jets' final game of the season.[21]

2016 season

On July 15, 2016, Wilkerson signed a 5-year deal worth $86 million featuring $53 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus.[22] Wilkerson played 15 games in 2016, starting 14 of them, finishing with 58 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and a forced fumble.[23]

2017 season

On December 15, the Jets announced that Wilkerson would be scratched for the upcoming Week 15 game against the New Orleans Saints due to showing up late for a team meeting. It was also revealed the Wilkerson had a history of violating team rules, including showing up late or missing team meetings, therefore putting his tenure with the Jets in jeopardy.[24] Wilkerson was inactive again for Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was revealed that Wilkerson showed up late for team meetings four times in the past three years, and the Jets intended to release Wilkerson if he was inactive for one more game due to any sort of disciplinary reason.[25] Ultimately, Wilkerson was declared inactive for the season finale against the New England Patriots in Week 17.[26] Limited to 13 games (12 starts), Wilkerson finished with 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, and an interception.

On February 28, 2018, Wilkerson was released by the Jets.[27]

Green Bay Packers

Wilkerson suffering a season ending ankle injury in a game against the Washington Redskins

On March 15, 2018, Wilkerson signed a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers worth $5 million.[28][29]

On September 23, 2018, during Week 3 against the Washington Redskins, Wilkerson suffered a serious ankle injury after teammate Kentrell Brice accidentally leg-whipped him while attempting to tackle Washington running back Chris Thompson. Wilkerson was carted off the field[30] and underwent surgery the same night in a Washington, D.C. hospital, causing him to miss the team flight back to Wisconsin.[31] The Packers placed Wilkerson on injured reserve on September 29, ending his season.[32] He posted five total tackles for the 2018 season prior to the injury.

Wilkerson became a free agent in March 2019.[33] He was suspended for the first two weeks of the 2020 NFL season on September 11, 2020,[34] and had his suspension lifted on September 22.[35]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

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Personal life

Wilkerson is a Muslim. Due to his involvement in sports, he does not fast during the month of Ramadan, but intends to in the future.[36]

On June 1, 2019, Wilkerson was arrested for DWI in Washington Heights, New York. At around 3:30 A.M., he was pulled over after running a stop sign. His alcohol content measured .09, exceeding the legal limit of .08 in New York.[37]

On March 4, 2020, it was revealed that Wilkerson was arrested by New Jersey State Police for DWI plus possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. It was Wilkerson's second DWI offense spanning within nine months.[38]

References

  1. [1]
    "Temple Profile". owlsports.com.
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    Former Linden High star Muhammad Wilkerson likely to be first New Jerseyan selected in 2011 NFL Draft NJ.com, April 25, 2011
  3. [3]
    ESPN.com stats
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    "Muhammad Wilkerson". NFL Draft Scout. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    "Muhammad Wilkerson". National Football League. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    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 May 24, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    "Defensive players lead the way on list of top 32 prospects". National Football League. March 11, 2011. Archived from the original on April 27, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    Cimini, Rich (April 15, 2011). "Wilkerson taking long trip to NFL draft". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 21, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    "2011 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
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    Cimini, Rich (April 29, 2011). "Jets go safe route with Wilkerson". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    "Jets select Temple DL Wilkerson at No. 30". ESPN. Associated Press. April 29, 2011. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    Pompey, Keith (April 29, 2011). "Jets take Temple's Wilkerson in first round". Philly.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
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    Jets' Muhammad Wilkerson ejected for taking swings
  18. [18]
    Fines roundup: Muhammad Wilkerson docked $20K for fight
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    "Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap added to Pro Bowl". Fox Sports. January 14, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
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    Sessler, Marc. "Wilkerson signs five-year deal with Jets". NFL. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
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    Hanzus, Dan. "Muhammad Wilkerson missed his own birthday cake". NFL. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
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    Shook, Nick. "Muhammad Wilkerson scratched from lineup in Week 15". NFL. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
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    "Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson inactive for second game in a row". ESPN. December 24, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  26. [26]
    "Muhammad Wilkerson will be inactive for Jets finale vs. Patriots". NY Daily News. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
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    Bergman, Jeremy. "Jets release Muhammad Wilkerson 2 years after mega-deal". NFL. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
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    Wesseling, Chris (March 13, 2018). "Muhammad Wilkerson signing 1-year deal with Packers". NFL.com.
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    "Packers sign Wilkerson, acquire Kizer in trade". Packers.com. March 15, 2018. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018.
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    Shook, Nick (September 24, 2018). "Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle) likely out for season". NFL.com.
  31. [31]
    Kruse, Zach (September 24, 2018). "Packers DL Muhammad Wilkerson has surgery for 'significant' injury". PackersWire. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  32. [32]
    Shook, Nick (September 29, 2018). "Packers place Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle) on IR". NFL.com. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  33. [33]
    "Former Packers player Muhammad Wilkerson arrested for DWI". Madison.com. June 1, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  34. [34]
    Greenawalt, Tyler (September 13, 2020). "Ex-Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson suspended following DWI arrest in March". USAToday.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  35. [35]
    "Muhammad Wilkerson: Suspension lifted". CBSSports.com. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
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    Glauber, Bob (September 7, 2011). "Debut of Jets' Wilkerson falls on Sept. 11". Newsday. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  37. [37]
    "Muhammad Wilkerson arrested on DWI charge". NFL. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  38. [38]
    "Muhammad Wilkerson arrested for DWI, drug possession". NFL. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
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