Muhammad Wilkerson facts for kids
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Wilkerson with the Green Bay Packers in 2018
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| Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | October 22, 1989 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 315 lb (143 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Linden (Linden, New Jersey) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Temple (2008–2010) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2011 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Muhammad Hassan "Mo" Wilkerson (born October 22, 1989) is a former professional football player. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Temple Owls. The New York Jets picked him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Wilkerson played for the Jets for seven seasons. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2015. He was also a Second-team All-Pro twice, in 2013 and 2015. Later, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in 2018. However, an injury kept him from playing most of that season.
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Early Life and High School Days
Muhammad Wilkerson grew up in Linden, New Jersey. He went to Linden High School in his hometown. During his senior year, he made 78 tackles and five sacks. He also forced one fumble and recovered another.
In his junior year, he was named to the All-Watchung Conference first-team. He also helped his high school win state basketball titles. This happened during both his junior and senior years.
College Football Career
After high school, Wilkerson spent a year at Hargrave Military Academy. Then, he went to Temple University. He played for the Temple Owls football team there.
In 2008, as a freshman, he played in 11 games. He recorded 13 tackles and one sack. As a sophomore in 2009, he started all 13 games. He had 58 tackles and six sacks that year.
In 2010, during his junior year, Wilkerson made 68 tackles and 10 sacks. After this great season, he was named to the first-team All-MAC. He was also chosen as the team's defensive MVP.
Becoming a Pro Player
Before the NFL Draft, experts thought Wilkerson was a hidden talent. After doing well at the NFL Combine, his chances of being drafted high went up. He was seen as a very flexible player. Many thought he would be a first-round pick.
Playing for the New York Jets
The New York Jets drafted Wilkerson in the first round in 2011. He was the 30th player picked overall. He was the highest draft pick from Temple University since 1987. On July 31, 2011, he signed a four-year contract with the Jets.
2011 Season: Rookie Year
Wilkerson played his first NFL game on September 11, 2011. It was against the Dallas Cowboys. A week later, he got his first career sack. He sacked the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback in the end zone. This play resulted in a safety for his team. He started all 16 games in his first year. He finished with 49 tackles and 3 sacks.
2012 Season: First Touchdown
On November 11, 2012, Wilkerson scored his first NFL touchdown. He picked up a fumble from Russell Wilson and ran it into the end zone. This happened during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. In 16 games, he had 69 tackles and 5 sacks. He also forced 3 fumbles.
2013 Season: All-Pro Recognition
Wilkerson had a fantastic 2013 season. He recorded 63 tackles and 10.5 sacks. He also forced 2 fumbles and made an interception. Because of his excellent performance, he was chosen for the second All-Pro team.
2014 Season: Team Challenges
In 2014, the Jets used an option to keep Wilkerson for a fifth year. During a game against the Green Bay Packers, he was removed from the game. This was due to a scuffle with other players. The NFL later fined him $20,000 for his part in the fight. He played in 13 games that year. He finished with 56 tackles and 6 sacks.
2015 Season: Pro Bowl Year
Wilkerson had a standout year in 2015. He made 64 tackles and 12 sacks. He also recovered 3 fumbles. He was selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time. However, he could not play in the Pro Bowl. This was because he broke his leg in the last game of the season. He was ranked among the top 100 players in the NFL by his fellow players.
2016 Season: Big Contract
On July 15, 2016, Wilkerson signed a large 5-year contract with the Jets. He played in 15 games that year. He finished the season with 58 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
2017 Season: Leaving the Jets
In 2017, Wilkerson faced some challenges with team rules. He was late for team meetings several times. Because of this, the Jets decided not to play him in some games. He was inactive for the last three games of the season. On February 28, 2018, the Jets released him from the team. He played 13 games that year, making 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Time with the Green Bay Packers
On March 15, 2018, Wilkerson signed a one-year contract with the Green Bay Packers. However, his time with the Packers was cut short.
On September 23, 2018, he suffered a serious ankle injury. This happened during a game against the Washington Redskins. A teammate accidentally hit his leg while trying to make a tackle. Wilkerson had surgery that same night. The Packers placed him on injured reserve, which ended his season. He had 5 tackles before his injury. He became a free agent in March 2019.
Personal Life
Muhammad Wilkerson is a Muslim.
Images for kids
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Wilkerson suffering a season ending ankle injury in a game against the Washington Redskins
