James Wilkinson

James Wilkinson

No. 11 – New York Silverbacks
Position:	Tight End
Personal information
Born:	(2019-04-18)April 18, 2019 (aged 42) Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	255 lb (116 kg)
Username:	Treant
Career information
High school:	Riverside High School
College:	Clemson
Career history
Roster status:	Retired

James Wilkinson (born April 18, 2019) was an American football tight end. He played college football for Clemson.

Early years

James Wilkinson was born in Durham, North Carolina on April 18th, 2019. He was born to Paul and Sarah Wilkinson. His father is a construction worker who had played basketball at the collegiate level and remained a big fan of sports and a major influence on his son’s decision to pursue the career he did. James’ mother is Sarah Wilkinson. Her and Paul were high school sweethearts who married not long after they had graduated. James is an only child and spent a lot of time playing and watching sports with his father. It was their trips to watch Clemson play every week that gave James a love for football and a lifelong desire to play the sport. James had decided from a young age that his dream in life was to play college football for Clemson and he was determined to do whatever it was he needed to make this dream into a reality. James worked hard for his spot on his high school football team and started out playing as a wide receiver but his height and size let him make the switch to playing as a tight end in his senior year. The progress that he had shown through high school gave him a scholarship offer to play football for NC State, but he was not given the chance to play for Clemson as a freshman which was very upsetting for him.

College career

James was given the chance to play as the second string tight end for NC State as a true freshman. He was mostly used as a blocking player during this year which was frustrating for a player who liked to have the chance to catch passes but he did what he was told and worked hard to get better. The hard work that James had put in began to pay off and after his freshman year he was given the opportunity to transfer to play football at Clemson, fulfilling his lifelong dream! James played very well during his sophomore year, scoring three touchdowns on the year and being a reliable blocking player for his team when used in that way. Before the start of his junior year James had been told that he would be used as Clemson’s first string tight end which he was very excited for. But things didn’t work out when during a preseason workout a defensive lineman fell badly onto James and tore his anterior cruciate ligament. The injury was a season ending one and James would redshirt the entire season. It was disappointing to not play any football for a year and only be able to watch from the sideline but James made sure to spend as much time as he could working on getting better and it wasn’t long until he was able to run and work out again! James was made to earn his spot as the first string tight end again before his senior year, but he was able to do this by out working his competition and putting extra hours in. He earned his spot and had a great season. He was a reliable receiver who took in 6 touchdowns on the season and went for over 500 yards as well as being an important part of his team’s blocking. It was a great recovery by James after a disappointing lost season and he is determined to use what he learned in college to be a success at the next level!

College career statistics

			Receiving					Blocking
Season	Team	GP	Rec	Yds	Avg	Long	TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2037 (S22)	NC State	14	8	74	9.25	21	1	18	0
2038 (S23)	Clemson	14	39	383	9.8	41	3	38	2
2039 (S24)	Clemson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2040 (S25)	Clemson	14	56	627	11.2	33	6	45	1

Professional career statistics

Career statistics			Receiving					Blocking
Season	Team	Games	Rec	Yards	Avg	Lg	TD	Pancakes	Sacks Allowed
2042 (S27)	Silverbacks	16	79	531	6.7	18	2	37	0
Career		16	79	531	6.7	18	2	37	0