 NEW YORK, NY – The New York Jets selected Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson (Linden, N.J.) with the 30th pick of the First Round of the 2011 National Football League Draft on Thursday evening at Radio City Music Hall.
A two-time first-team All-MAC honoree, Wilkerson is the third First Round selection in Temple history and the first since 1987. Becoming the 59th Temple University football player to be selected in the NFL Draft since 1937, Wilkerson joins Heisman runner-up/RB Paul Palmer (1987, 19th pick, Kansas City Chiefs) and OG John Rienstra (1986, 9th pick, Pittsburgh Steelers) as First Round selections.
Wilkerson is also the fourth Temple player to be selected by the Jets in the Draft in school history.
At 6-5, 305 lbs., Wilkerson was the recipient of the team’s defensive most valuable player honor last fall. Foregoing his senior season to enter the Draft, the team captain started all 12 games at tackle in 2010. One of just seven Owls to start every game, he finished third in tackles with 70 and led the Owls with 13.0 TFL and 9.5 sacks. Named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, he earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades twice in 2010.
A social work major, Wilkerson intends to return to Temple to finish his degree.
There were four former Owls on NFL rosters last season-- DL Raheem Brock (Seattle Seahawks), LB Alex Joseph (San Francisco 49ers), DT Terrance Knighton (Jacksonville Jaguars), and DT Andre Neblett (Carolina Panthers).
DB Dominique Harris (Buffalo Bills), OL Steve Maneri (New England Patriots), and DE Brian Sanford (Cleveland Browns) were members of NFL practice squads. Knighton was the last Owl to be drafted, selected in the third round (8th pick, 72nd pick overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008.
Courtesy of Temple Athletics |
