Temple University Athletics
Linden HS to Retire Number of Football Star Muhammad Wilkerson
10.27.17 | Football
LINDEN, N.J. - The Linden High School football program, native to Linden, N.J., announced Wednesday its intention to retire the jersey number - #91 - of former Temple and current New York Jets star defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson. While with the Owls from 2008-10, Wilkerson dominated offensive fronts with his relentless play style and unforgiving power, earning first-team All-MAC honors and Temple's defensive MVP following a 2010 campaign where he racked up team-bests in tackles-for-loss (13.0) and sacks (9.5),
The New York Jets selected Wilkerson in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and their confidence in the Temple product has paid dividends the past seven seasons. While with the Jets, Wilkerson has continued to showcase his talent for disruption behind his 41 career sacks, securing a 2015 Pro-Bowl selection and the 2013 franchise MVP along the way.
In order to grab the NFL's attention, Wilkerson dedicated himself to the craft of pass rushing, starting all 25 games over his final two years with Temple. During the 13-game 2009 season as a sophomore, the defensive tackle served as just one of two underclassmen to start every game (one of nine overall), generating 61 total tackles, seven sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss. During the team's battle against Navy, Wilkerson accumulated a career-high 13 tackles, a number he wouldn't top for the remainder of his time with Temple.
While at Linden High School, Wilkerson competed on both the football and basketball teams, leading the latter to back-to-back Group 4 State Titles in 2005 and 2006. Now, even as a full-time professional athlete, the defensive tackle has worked tirelessly within his hometown to bolster the community and assist student-athletes aiming for a college education. With Linden less than an hour outside of New York City, and even closer to the Jets' practice facility, Wilkerson consistently makes appearances at football and basketball games, not to mention innumerable community events.
"He comes to about 80 percent of our games, no fanfare, he just shows up," longtime Linden basketball coach Phil Colicchio said of Wilkerson. "It's not just the programs he runs in town for the kids, but the fact that he's physically here and he's visible to the community. That's pretty unique among today's athletes."
The aforementioned programs include TEAM 96, a Wilkerson-founded organization designed to raise support for college-bound Linden student-athletes, and the community events where the former Owl has auctioned off autographed memorabilia to raise money for the Linden public school system. Overall, Wilkerson has sought to involve himself heavily in the future well-being of his hometown community, even going so far as to provide a free football camp each year in Linden.
"Linden Public Schools and the Linden Athletics family is truly honored to retire Muhammad Wilkerson's No. 91 jersey," said Athletic Director Steven Viana. "Muhammad's accomplishments on the field are well-documented, but his contributions to our community and our students are most gratifying. He is a mainstay at our events, an avid supporter of anything and everything Linden."
*-All quotes obtained via a press release from the Linden Public School System
The New York Jets selected Wilkerson in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and their confidence in the Temple product has paid dividends the past seven seasons. While with the Jets, Wilkerson has continued to showcase his talent for disruption behind his 41 career sacks, securing a 2015 Pro-Bowl selection and the 2013 franchise MVP along the way.
In order to grab the NFL's attention, Wilkerson dedicated himself to the craft of pass rushing, starting all 25 games over his final two years with Temple. During the 13-game 2009 season as a sophomore, the defensive tackle served as just one of two underclassmen to start every game (one of nine overall), generating 61 total tackles, seven sacks and 10.5 tackles-for-loss. During the team's battle against Navy, Wilkerson accumulated a career-high 13 tackles, a number he wouldn't top for the remainder of his time with Temple.
While at Linden High School, Wilkerson competed on both the football and basketball teams, leading the latter to back-to-back Group 4 State Titles in 2005 and 2006. Now, even as a full-time professional athlete, the defensive tackle has worked tirelessly within his hometown to bolster the community and assist student-athletes aiming for a college education. With Linden less than an hour outside of New York City, and even closer to the Jets' practice facility, Wilkerson consistently makes appearances at football and basketball games, not to mention innumerable community events.
"He comes to about 80 percent of our games, no fanfare, he just shows up," longtime Linden basketball coach Phil Colicchio said of Wilkerson. "It's not just the programs he runs in town for the kids, but the fact that he's physically here and he's visible to the community. That's pretty unique among today's athletes."
The aforementioned programs include TEAM 96, a Wilkerson-founded organization designed to raise support for college-bound Linden student-athletes, and the community events where the former Owl has auctioned off autographed memorabilia to raise money for the Linden public school system. Overall, Wilkerson has sought to involve himself heavily in the future well-being of his hometown community, even going so far as to provide a free football camp each year in Linden.
"Linden Public Schools and the Linden Athletics family is truly honored to retire Muhammad Wilkerson's No. 91 jersey," said Athletic Director Steven Viana. "Muhammad's accomplishments on the field are well-documented, but his contributions to our community and our students are most gratifying. He is a mainstay at our events, an avid supporter of anything and everything Linden."
*-All quotes obtained via a press release from the Linden Public School System
Temple Men's Basketball 2025-26 All Access | Game 22 WHITE OUT VS USF
Tuesday, February 03
Ep. 35: Football's Peter Clarke & Curly Ordonez
Tuesday, February 03
Ep. 34: Head Fencing Coach Jennie Salmon
Friday, January 30
MBB Press Conference vs. Charlotte (Adam Fisher)
Thursday, January 29
