Muhammad Wilkerson

Muhammad Wilkerson is an American football defensive end for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple, and was drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

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. He was named to the All-Watchung Conference first-team in his junior season. He also helped lead Linden to state titles during his junior and senior years in basketball.

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. 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. Following his junior season, he was named to the first-team All-MAC selection and the team defensive MVP.

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. Wilkerson was drafted by the New York Jets in the first round with the thirtieth overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. Wilkerson signed a four-year, $7.4 million contract on July 31, 2011.

On July 15, 2016, Wilkerson signed a 5-year deal worth $86 million featuring $53 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus.

Wilkerson was listed as #39 on the "Top 100 NFL PLayers of 2016" by the National Football League.