Eric Wilkerson

Last updated

Eric Wilkerson
No. 40
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1966-12-19) December 19, 1966 (age 58)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: Central Catholic
(Cleveland, Ohio)
College: Kent State (1985–1988)
Undrafted: 1989
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career Arena League statistics
Total tackles:5
Interceptions:1
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Eric LaShawn Wilkerson (born December 19, 1966) is an American former football running back who played one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes. [1] He was also a member of the Detroit Lions, the New York/New Jersey Knights and the Cleveland Thunderbolts.

Contents

Early life

Wilkerson lettered in football and track all four years for the Cleveland Central Catholic High School Ironmen. He rushed for nearly 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns his senior year. He also finished fourth in the state track meet in the 400 meters. Wilkerson earned All-Conference and All-Scholastic honors. [2] He has been inducted into the school's hall of fame. [3]

College career

Wilkerson played for the Kent State Golden Flashes from 1985 to 1988, recording career totals of 3,830 yards and 36 touchdowns on 739 rushing attempts. He also accumulated two kick return touchdowns, two passing touchdowns and 506 receiving yards on 44 receptions. [4] He was named the MAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 after rushing for 1,221 yards and ten touchdowns. [4] [2] Wilkerson led the MAC in rushing yards in 1988 with 1,325 and in rushing touchdowns with 14. [4] He earned First-team All-MAC honors three times during his college career. [2] He also earned AP Honorable Mention All-American honors in 1987 and 1988. [2] [5] Wilkerson was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game following his senior season. [2] He was inducted into the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame in 1995. [3] His number 40 was retired by the Golden Flashes on March 1, 1989. [2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 8+3⁄4 in
(1.75 m)		181 lb
(82 kg)		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		4.63 s1.61 s2.73 s4.28 s37.5 in
(0.95 m)		10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		9 reps
All values from NFL Combine [6] [7]

Wilkerson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 11, 1989. [8] He later converted to wide receiver. [9] He was released by the Steelers on September 4, 1989, and signed to the team's practice squad on September 6, 1989. [10] Wilkerson played in one game for the Steelers during the 1989 season. [1] He was also active for the team's two postseason games that year. [11] [12] He became a free agent after the 1989 season. [13]

Wilkerson then signed with the Detroit Lions during the 1990 off-season. [14] He was released by the Lions on September 3, 1990, and re-signed by the team later. [15] [16]

Wilkerson was selected by the New York/New Jersey Knights of the World League of American Football in the 1991 WLAF Draft. He led the league in rushing with 717 yards in 1991 and garnered Second-team All-World League accolades. He also tied for the league lead with eleven total touchdowns after recording seven rushing and four receiving scores. [11] Wilkerson recorded 404 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in 1992. [17]

Wilkerson played for the Cleveland Thunderbolts in 1993, recording five tackles, one pass breakup and one interception. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamal Lewis (American football)</span> American football player (born 1979)

Jamal Lewis is an American former professional football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected fifth overall by the Ravens in the 2000 NFL draft. After spending his first seven seasons with the Ravens, Lewis signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns before the 2007 season and retired after the 2009 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Gates</span> American football player (born 1980)

Antonio Ethan Gates is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers during his entire career in the National Football League (NFL). He was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a six-time All-Pro selection. He retired on January 14, 2020, after 16 years with the Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Dickerson</span> American football player (born 1960)

Eric Demetric Dickerson is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Dickerson played college football for the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University and was recognized as an All-American. He was selected second overall in the 1983 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, and later played for the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. During his NFL career, he rushed for over 13,000 yards. He holds the NFL's single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards, set in 1984. Dickerson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 and, in 2019, was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time. He wore prescription goggles throughout his career due to myopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil O'Donnell</span> American football player (born 1966)

Neil Kennedy O'Donnell is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1990 NFL draft. During his six seasons with the Steelers, O'Donnell received Pro Bowl honors and helped lead them to a Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXX. After leaving Pittsburgh, he was a member of the New York Jets for two seasons and the Cincinnati Bengals for one. O'Donnell spent his last five seasons mostly as a backup with the Tennessee Titans.

Walter Andrew "Bubby" Brister III is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave and Northeast Louisiana Indians before being selected in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft by the Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Lipps</span> American football player (born 1962)

Louis Adam Lipps Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), spending eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one with the New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Henry Johnson</span> American gridiron football player (1929–2011)

John Henry Johnson was an American professional fullback. His first professional stint was in Canada in the Western Interprovincial Football Union for one season with the Calgary Stampeders. He then played in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Pittsburgh Steelers before spending his final season in the American Football League (AFL) with the Houston Oilers. Commonly referred to as simply John Henry, an allusion to the folk hero of the same name, Johnson was a tough and tenacious player who performed at a high level well into the tail end of his career.

Henry Major Poteat, Jr is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL), and current cornerbacks coach for the Iowa State Cyclones football team. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2000 NFL draft. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Cribbs</span> American football player (born 1983)

Joshua Cribbs is an American former professional football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes and was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL draft. Cribbs is tied for the second most NFL career record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns, and also the NFL record with two kickoffs of 100 yards or more returned for touchdowns in a single game. He has also played for the New York Jets, the Oakland Raiders and the Indianapolis Colts. He was most recently a special teams coaching intern for the Cleveland Browns.

Clifford Lewis Stoudt is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL). Stoudt played college football for the Youngstown State Penguins. He was selected in the fifth round of the 1977 NFL draft by the Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Tate</span> American football player (born 1988)

Benjamin Franklin Tate is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers. Tate also played for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dion Lewis</span> American football player (born 1990)

Dion John Lewis is an American football coach and former running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning second-team All-American honors in 2009. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft. Lewis is currently the assistant running backs coach for the University of Albany.

Ulys Leroy Thompson is an American former professional football running back who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), the first three with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then one apiece with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was an excellent receiver out of the backfield, accumulating 153 career receptions, including a career best of 65 in 1994 with the Patriots. He played college football at Penn State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Le'Veon Bell</span> American football player (born 1992)

Le'Veon Andrew Bell Sr. is an American professional boxer and former football running back. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Adrion Dante "Dri" Archer is an American former professional football player who was a running back and return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes, earning consensus All-American honors on 2012. He was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

Shane Austin is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at University of Hawaiʻi. Austin went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft and signed with the Everett Raptors of the Indoor Football League (IFL) after the draft. After starting the Raptors final games of the season, Austin was able to gain the attention of the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League (AFL). Austin was named the starting quarterback for the Power, but a broken hand caused him to miss two months of the season. Austin then was assigned to the Cleveland Gladiators where he was named the backup to Chris Dieker. With Dieker struggling for the Gladiators, Austin was given the opportunity to start and lead the Gladiators to a 14–1 record as a starter and a berth in ArenaBowl XXVII. The Gladiators lost to Arizona Rattlers in the ArenaBowl, but Austin was named second-team All-Arena.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Conner (American football)</span> American football player (born 1995)

James Earl Conner is an American professional football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers. In 2014, he garnered AFCA first-team All-American honors and was awarded the ACC Player of the Year. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Chubb</span> American football player (born 1995)

Nicholas Jamaal Chubb is an American professional football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia and was selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. Chubb has been named to four Pro Bowls during his NFL career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roosevelt Nix (fullback)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Roosevelt Delbert Nix-Jones is an American former professional football fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kent State University, and was signed by the Atlanta Falcons after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft. As a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nix made the 2018 Pro Bowl. Nix's father also played in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Najee Harris</span> American football player (born 1998)

Najee Harris is an American professional football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 "ERIC WILKERSON". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Class of 1995 - Biographies". supportgoldenflashes.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Bolton, Lee (October 21, 2010). "WILKERSON, ERIC". lee.n8d.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Eric Wilkerson". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  5. ↑ Sussman, Matt (May 5, 2011). "MACwood Squares: Who Is The Best Kent State Football Player?". hustlebelt.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Eric Wilkerson, Combine Results, WR - Kent State (OH)". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Eric Wilkerson RAS". ras.football. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Steelers sign three more free agents". United Press International . May 11, 1989. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ Cowley, Joe (September 28, 1989). "Wilkerson adjusting to role with Steelers". Daily Kent Stater. p. 9. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Pittsburgh Steelers waive 11". United Press International . September 4, 1989. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Eric Wilkerson". tradingcarddb.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Eric Wilkerson". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  13. ↑ "UNPROTECTED". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 1, 1990. p. 101. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Steelers". The Pittsburgh Press. March 27, 1990. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  15. ↑ "CUTDOWN DAY TEAM-BY-TEAM TRANSACTIONS". The Washington Post . September 4, 1990. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Eric Wilkerson". nfl.com. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Eric Wilkerson". justsportsstats.com. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Eric Wilkerson". arenafan.com. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.