Muhammad Wilkerson, DT

[the wrothbroughterer]

Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

So, I had never heard of this guy going into the season. There was nary a whisper about him all from the college ranks that I can recall. I also can't remember reading anything about him here either.

While being bored at work today I noticed him on the ESPN Scouts Inc draft page and his rating came in at a whopping 94. His height and weight were a very solid 6'5", 305lbs. He put up terrific stats (10 sacks, 1FF, 3PD, 13TFL) in just 11 games as a junior. The thing is, he played at Temple and thus played against pretty weak competition in the MAC.

Obviously there is a lack of information out there pertaining to his athletic ability and I'm very much a laymen when it comes to breaking down game footage but at the moment he certainly fits the profile for a 34DE. After looking at this video of Temple vs Penn State, he does a pretty good job against the PSU OL. He's kind of wild and undisciplined in the video but for all I know he might have the freedom to operate as he pleases out there being the best player on that team. He did a pretty good job holding the line with some obvious examples of being overpowered but also made a good amount of plays along the line of scrimmage when Temple was operating out of the 34. One thing is for sure, he has a great motor.

What say you Pats Fans?

 

[Sciz]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

Ty Warren clone. I'd love to get him with 28 or 33.

 

[NePatriots]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

He is a perfect 5-technique DE. As Sciz said, would be a great fit at 28 or 33.

 

[Gator Mike]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

The more I see of him and read about him, the more I like him.

I'd be OK with him at #28 or #33.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

He's a tri-state area boy which I like. Love his measurables, I have only seen small clips him but what I have seen he fits our D.

Sorry guys wasn't doing my duty as a patsfans.com scout as I could've seen every temple home game with relative ease. Until recently no one really makes it a point to see temple football. Wish i could've given u guys a full report, hopefully he's on our board come April.

 

[bucky]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

Thanks for posting the video. Based on this very limited sample size, here's what I'd say is noticeable:

- comes up to high out of his stance. will need technique work on that. Absolutely unable to hold ground vs. double teams.
- looks very nifty for his size. Could add on some weight.
- very powerful bull rush
- quick first step during 1-gap assignments, but doesn't appear to be able to 2-gap at this point.
- no pass rush moves. Uses hands to beat OL sometimes, the rest of the time just uses the bull rush.
- covers ground quickly once disengaged from OL

Overall - a project, but has the size and skills to develop into a very good 3 down DL for us down the road. Again, this is all based on 5 minutes of film.

 

[Boston Boxer]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

Thanks for posting the video. Based on this very limited sample size, here's what I'd say is noticeable:

- comes up to high out of his stance. will need technique work on that. Absolutely unable to hold ground vs. double teams.
- looks very nifty for his size. Could add on some weight.
- very powerful bull rush
- quick first step during 1-gap assignments, but doesn't appear to be able to 2-gap at this point.
- no pass rush moves. Uses hands to beat OL sometimes, the rest of the time just uses the bull rush.
- covers ground quickly once disengaged from OL

Overall - a project, but has the size and skills to develop into a very good 3 down DL for us down the road. Again, this is all based on 5 minutes of film.

does not seem like we need him at 28 or 33 then

 

[bucky]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

does not seem like we need him at 28 or 33 then

I wouldn't be so quick to judge that. Every negative that I noticed is very coachable. However, size, quickness, explosiveness, and intangibles are not. So if he fits on those criteria (which we won't know for sure till the combine) he may not even last till 28.

 

[patchick]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

I wouldn't be so quick to judge that. Every negative that I noticed is very coachable. However, size, quickness, explosiveness, and intangibles are not. So if he fits on those criteria (which we won't know for sure till the combine) he may not even last till 28.

...and the number of DTs who come out of college knowing how to 2-gap is very, very small.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

Basing his skillset on one game, without knowing what the coaches required him to do in that game, is a good way to end up with an incomplete picture. Wilkerson absolutely can handle double teams when he's asked to take on blocks in the running game, provided he doesn't get so high out of his stance.

Since someone posted a YouTube video of just one game, I'll counter with an equally scientific YouTube video of his season highlights.

YouTube - DT Muhammad Wilkerson - Temple University

Looks to me like he could make a great Seymour replacement after a year of on the job training.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

What jumps out at me based on the film is that he plays really high. In the NFl, he will get washed out of every play playing that high.

The second thing is that he can not hold at the POA. He gets washed three yards downfield against single blocking and more against the double team.

Not sure BB likes the spin move on the pass rush.

However I also noticed that he diengages really well. The second he disagosed, he tossed aside the defender and goes for the ball carrier.

This is a guy with talent, but is really weak on technique. If BB takes him, he will need a red shirt year at least.

 

[Coach42]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

This is kind of besides the point but how does a guy that athletic and big from NJ end up at Temple? Something more to it or did he simply slip through the cracks? I mean NJ is the primary recruiting ground for BC, Penn State, Syracuse, Rutgers, UCONN, Virginia, Vigina Tech and some other BCS schools why did they all shy away or did they? Anyway it probably means nothing but I am curious.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

This is kind of besides the point but how does a guy that athletic and big from NJ end up at Temple? Something more to it or did he simply slip through the cracks? I mean NJ is the primary recruiting ground for BC, Penn State, Syracuse, Rutgers, UCONN, Virginia, Vigina Tech and some other BCS schools why did they all shy away or did they? Anyway it probably means nothing but I am curious.

I wonder if it had something to do with his basketball prowess. He led his high school ( Linden HS, NJ) to the state championship and was recruited as a power forward.. May he was looking for some place that would let him play both or maybe he didn't decide on which sport??????

Linden Boys Basketball - VIDEO

 

[Homeland Defense]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

He will definately need to polish his technique but talented. Anyone know if he is smart? Any character issues?

 

[WesWelker83]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

What jumps out at me based on the film is that he plays really high. In the NFl, he will get washed out of every play playing that high.

The second thing is that he can not hold at the POA. He gets washed three yards downfield against single blocking and more against the double team.

Not sure BB likes the spin move on the pass rush.

However I also noticed that he diengages really well. The second he disagosed, he tossed aside the defender and goes for the ball carrier.

This is a guy with talent, but is really weak on technique. If BB takes him, he will need a red shirt year at least.

Do you think hes the best available 3-4 DE? I think hes better then Watt, Jordan, and Heyward. Dareus and Fairley are better but both are top 5 picks and will cost two firsts to trade up for which I doubt we would do.

 

[ayjackson]

Re: Who in the Hell is Muhammad Wilkerson?

Big Mo is my binky. The fact that his name starts with a W is gravy! Warren-Wilfork-Wilkerson....yummy!

 

[WesWelker83]

DE Muhammed Wilkerson - Draft This Man!

I really want us to draft Muhammed Wilkerson. He has the size we love at 6-5 300 pounds with long arms and big hands. He also has the frame to add more weight with above average speed for his size. Here is ESPN's scouting report:

Pass Rush Skills 1 Consistently fires off the ball and gets into the pads of OL. Strong at point of attack. Can stack and shed as well as any five-technique in this class. Has great size with good lower-body strength and excellent upper body power. Can anchor versus the run but is also very adept at finding the ball, disengaging, pursuing and making the play.

Versus the run 2 Power rusher. Will stand up OL and can bull rush him back into the QB. Finds the ball faster than most five-technique's, shows ability to shed quickly and has adequate-to-good closing burst for a 300-pound DL.

Versatility 2 Not elite initial burst but shows adequate-to-good first step quickness for his size. Shows strong, quick hands. Not as violent as some elite DT's but can shed quickly. Very functional when it comes to controlling blockers and disengaging when it is time to do so.

Instincts/Motor 2 Would not describe him as relentless but also don't see him taking any plays off. Gives good overall effort. Is tough and flashes a mean streak. Works hard and finishes.

This guys sounds like Seymour 2.0 and I think we need to draft him at 17 or trade back and acquire him if hes there in the early 20s. He seems like hes rising up draft boards.

 

[Sciz]

Re: DE Muhammed Wilkerson - Draft This Man!

I think he's more like Ty Warren than Seymour, but that's far from a bad thing. Aldon Smith at 17, Wilkerson at 28 would make me uber happy.

 

[TealSox]

Re: DE Muhammed Wilkerson - Draft This Man!

While I was watching his highlights yesterday, I was reminded of Seymour [someone the Patriots have sorely missed IMO].

I'm a huge fan [as you can see by my signature] and would love to see the Patriots walk away from the draft with both Wilkerson and Wilson [Illinois ILB, moving him to OLB].

 

[Patriot Missile]

Re: DE Muhammed Wilkerson - Draft This Man!

I'm so up in the air on where this guy should be drafted. 1st? 2nd? 3rd? He has got a lot of hype as of late. Watched some of the few highlights that are available on him and he seems to play to the speed and power they are boasting. Just brutal power is displayed in some of his reels.

Questions regarding the low end competition he played while at Temple? He physically dominates his weak conference. Can he do it against the best?

I'm sure he will be even more inflated with a good combine which I suspect he will have. He is a gamble imo. I leave the call up to Belichick. If he drafts him than that tells me he see's something special he can work with. If not, he either wasn't scouted thoroughly or he was and they didn't value him as much as his highlights.