Since 2006, BOXTOROW has talked with HBCU football players who have a chance to hear their names called in the NFL Draft. That first year, we spoke with several players including Antoine Bethea (Howard), and Tavaris Jackson (Alabama State) who both went on to be drafted that year.
In the midst of COVID-19 the draft will still continue – virtually – and take place April 23-25. Today we converse with former Edward Waters College tight end/defensive end Matthew Wilkerson. On offense he had 19 catches for 293 yards, averaged 15.4 yards per reception and caught four touchdowns. Defensively he recorded 25 tackles (four solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception.
In today’s college football, it’s rare to see a player play on both sides of the ball, but that’s exactly what Wilkerson did. And he dominated on both sides. It was his games against Division I opponents Southern and Prairie View A&M that caught the attention of National Football League scouts. Against Southern he recorded nine tackles (five solo) and half a tackle for loss. Against PV he caught a pass for 29 yards and a touchdown. He received an invite from the College Gridiron Showcase where he further showed off his skills.
Wilkerson could be drafted anywhere from the fifth round to being a priority free agent. He is in the mold of another former HBCU tight end, Larry Donnell of Grambling who had some solid seasons with the Giants. Donnell was 6’6,” 268 and ran a 4.91 in the 40 at his pro day. Wilkerson is 6’6,” 263 and runs a 4.74 in the 40 which would be sixth amongst the tights ends that participated in the NFL Scouting Combine. Donnell was also a late bloomer.
He also has the lineage with a couple of his relatives having played in the NFL, including former Jets and Packers defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.
Wilkerson could be THE sleeper of this draft. He talked with BOXTOROW host Donal Ware about his journey as a 180-pound wide receiver at NC State to Edward Waters, to now preparing for the NFL. Click to download or listen to the podcast.