Muhammad Wilkerson Declares for NFL Draft

Temple’s #96 Sophomore DT Muhammad Wilkerson, #45 Sophomore DE Morris Blueford Jr. and #58 Junior LB Elijah Joseph

Temple University defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson has declared his intention to forgo his senior season of college football and make himself available for this April’s National Football Draft. “I sat down with my mom, and we decided to take the shot now,” Wilkerson told the Philly Sports Daily.

The 6-foot 5-inch, 305 pound defensive lineman has been named to the all-Mid-American Conference first team the past two seasons. And he was named one of the 27 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Football Bowl Subdivision All-Stars for 2010. Wilkerson has already been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, which tracks the top interior linemen in all of college football. He was also named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2010. Wilkerson, who hails from Linden, New Jersey, was Temple’s third leading tackler, and led the team with 9 ½ sacks and 13 tackles for losses.

“I enjoyed my time at Temple University,” Wilkerson said in a statement released by the team. “It was a good experience for me.  I’m thankful for the opportunity for a scholarship and for an education.  I promise to come back and get my degree. I’m definitely going to miss my teammates and being a student-athlete at Temple.”

“I’ve spoken to Muhammad and his mother,” coach Steve Addazio said, “and they feel it’s in his best interest to enter the draft at this time.  We thank Muhammad for all that he has given to Temple Football during his tenure, and we wish him the best.”

Wilkerson is known for his surprising speed and quickness for a young man with such a large, strong frame. He has already started training for the NFL Draft in Atlanta with Competitive Edge Sports. He is currently projected as a second or third round selection in the draft.

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