WILKERSON GAINED STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE

T.K. Wilkerson of Skiatook didn't look like a Division I recruit before last year. Skiatook defensive coordinator Brian Miller, who's coached Wilkerson since he was a seventh grader, said the University of Tulsa commit was even considered a “soft” player in junior high. That all changed after Wilkerson's sophomore season. Wilkerson hit the weight room in the off-season and started adding pounds, strength and confidence. “He just really bought in and kind of grew up,” Miller said. Wilkerson, who is No. 26 in The Oklahoman's Super 30 rankings, put on nearly 30 pounds and had a breakout season last year as a junior for the Bulldogs. He rushed for 1,158 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. The bulk of his production came in the second half of the season. “As the season went on he just started figuring it out and getting better and better,” Skiatook head coach Vance Miller said. “He ended up having a breakout game against Claremore last year and started catching people's attention then.” In Skiatook's 28-13 win over Claremore on Oct. 20, Wilkerson carried the ball 18 times for 284 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-3, 215 pounds, Wilkerson is a downhill runner who can steamroll defensive backs, but he also has speed. He was a state track meet qualifier in the 100. “He is a downhill kid but he can put his foot in the grass and turn and go,” Miller said. Wilkerson, who also plays linebacker and trains with former University of Tulsa cornerback Dwight Dobbins, verbally committed to the Golden Hurricane earlier this year. But schools are still trying to lure him away from Tulsa including Missouri, Oklahoma State, SMU, North Texas and Texas Tech. Tulsa has recruited Wilkerson as a running back, but other schools want him to play the hybrid role of linebacker and defensive end. Wilkerson plays a similar role on defense for Skiatook. Bulldog coaches still plan to play Wilkerson on both sides of the ball, even though he'll get more carries at running back during his senior season. Skiatook went 5-5 last year and are looking to return to the playoffs after reaching the Class 5A state finals in 2014 and state semifinals in 2015. “He will definitely be a workhorse back there (at running back),” Vance Miller said. “He will carry the ball 25 times a game, probably. “He is athlete. We would like to have him on the field (on defense). It just depends on how tired he gets from carrying the rock on offense.”

WILKERSON GAINED STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE

Photo Credit: Joey Johnson

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