Kristian Wilkerson

BIOGRAPHY

Kristian Wilkerson is a distinguished American professional footballer. He was born on January 10, 1997, and has spent his career playing as a wide receiver. Currently, he serves in that capacity for the National Football League’s pride, the Las Vegas Raiders.

Wilkerson’s journey in football began in college at Southeast Missouri State, where he spent five active seasons and made a resounding impact. Though he redshirted year one as a freshman, his potential and endowment would soon command attention.

In his final season as a redshirt senior, he astounded every observer with his incredible performance. He recorded 71 passes, covered 1,350 yards, and scored 10 touchdowns. These remarkable stats led to his recognition as a first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference and a second-team All-American by HERO Sports.

The end of his five-year stint with Southeast Missouri State Redhawks saw him bow out in grand style, setting new records which have become a reference for all upcoming footballers. He left his collegiate career with 219 receptions, 3,540 yards, and 33 touchdowns, surpassing all school records at the time.

Wilkerson’s exploits didn’t go unnoticed in the professional world. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in May 2020, albeit not for long. He was waived later that year as part of the final roster cuts.

Undeterred and resilient, Wilkerson joined the practice squad of the New England Patriots in September 2020. His perseverance paid off when he got a promotion to the active roster of the Patriots only two months later. He immediately premiered Monday Night Football by helping the Patriots secure a 30-27 win over the New York Jets.

After the game, Wilkerson returned to the practice squad but was soon offered a reserve/future contract by the team on January 4, 2021. He spent the majority of the year with the Patriots, and despite facing a release in August, he was re-signed right after to the practice squad.

2022 was a notable year for Wilkerson as he excelled in the Week 17 game against Jacksonville, in which he scored his first two NFL touchdowns. His performance earned him yet another reserve/future contract with the Patriots that same year.

Wilkerson’s time with the Patriots faced a fraught moment in August 2022 when he was placed on injured reserve. The following year, on February 15th, the Patriots officially waived him.

Seizing the opportunity, the Indianapolis Colts claimed Wilkerson off waivers the following day. Despite a bright start, he was waived again in May 2023.

Wilkerson’s journey took another turn on May 15, 2023, when he was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders. His time with this team has been challenging as he was waived in November, re-signed later to the practice squad, and finally signed a reserve/future contract in 2024.

In August 2024, Wilkerson was yet again waived by the Raiders, only to be re-signed to the practice squad. Today, he continues his professional career as a vital part of the Las Vegas Raiders, continually demonstrating his football expertise and determination. Despite the twist and turns, he remains an important figure in American football, providing inspiration for many young aspirants across the globe.