NFF National Scholar-Athletes
LB – Wayne State University (MI)
3.85 GPA – Psychology
Head Coach: Paul Winters | Athletics Director: Rob Fournier
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Timothy Butler
Combining excellent leadership, athletics skill and academic prowess, Julius Wilkerson is a three-year team captain who leads Wayne State in tackles and boasts a 3.85 GPA. The Mequon, Wisconsin, native makes history as the Warriors' first NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A psychology major on pace to graduate this December, Wilkerson is a three-time Academic All-District nominee. He is a three-time D2ADA Academic Achievement Award winner and three-year member of the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team. Wilkerson has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll every semester of college.
This season, Wilkerson is tied for the team-lead at Wayne State with 50 tackles. He also boasts two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
In 2021, Wilkerson earned First Team All-GLIAC honors and was named Wayne State's Defensive MVP after finishing second in the conference with 9.5 tackles per game. In 2019, he was named the team's Defensive Rookie of the Year after helping the team finish with an 8-3 record and a second-place finish in the GLIAC. He currently boasts career totals of 210 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Wilkerson is serving as its co-president for the second straight season during the 2022-23 academic year, and he is the school's SAAC representative to the GLIAC. The 2021 AFCA Good Works Team member has worked with Family Assistance for Renaissance Men, assisting with home restoration and flood recovery. The 2021 recipient of Wayne State's Randy Guzowski Award for leadership and exemplary school and community citizenship, Wilkerson has also volunteered with the Salvation Army, 2nd & 7 reading program, Be the Match bone marrow registration drives and hospital visits. A Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader since 2019, he was also a member of the Wayne State Student Leadership Council, and he has served as a football small group leader for three years.
