Jimmy Wilkerson joined the Lion coaching staff as a pass rush specialist and defensive line coach to begin the 2017 season. He brings with him nine years of playing experience in the NFL and three years of collegiate football experience to go along with multiple years of coaching experience.
During the 2017 National Championship season, Wilkerson helped the Lions become one of the best pass rushing teams in the country. The team finished second in the LSC and 20th in the country in sacks per game. The team finished the year with 44 sacks, the fifth most in all of Division II and the most by any scholarship team in the state of Texas. 20 different Lions recorded a sack on the season. Norman Moimoi had 6.5 sacks and seven different Lions had at least three sacks on the year. The team also had 58 quarterback hurries. The pass rush helped contribute to the Lions' opponent passer efficiency, where they ranked 11th in the country. Three defensive linemen were named to the All-Conference team (Michael Onuoha- First Team, DD Fletcher- Second Team, Peyton Searcy- Honorable Mention).
Wilkerson played nine years in the NFL, playing defensive end, defensive tackle and on special teams. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and played for the team for four seasons. During his rookie year, he won the Mack Hill Award, a team award for their Rookie of the Year. He then played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.
After his playing career, Wilkerson interned with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, analyzing and breaking down game film. He also took a General Manager Scouting Course through Sports Management Worldwide.
Wilkerson was also a volunteer high school coach, coaching defensive line at Summit Christian Academy. In 2013, he was hired as a full-time coach at Summit Christian as a junior high football coach, where he coached until 2015.
Wilkerson is a certified personal trainer and is the owner of “Level Up Fitness,” which specializes in speed, agility and strength training.
Wilkerson played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma, where he played three years at linebacker and defensive end. He was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and holds the Oklahoma record for most sacks in the OU/University of Texas matchup. He was named Defensive Player of the Game at both the Cotton Bowl and the Rose Bowl.
As a high school player, Wilkerson was named East Texas Player of the Year. His interests include hunting, fishing and coaching little league sports.
He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies from the University of Oklahoma.
Wilkerson and his wife, Jamie, have four children: Tyson, Maddox, Jax and Emilia.
