Name: Julius Wilkerson
School: Davenport University 
Position: LB 
Height: 6-1
Weight: 230

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

I had multiple goals on a personal, team, and community level. My personal goals included seeking God throughout every circumstance, getting the individual honors such as All-Conference/ All-American, and improving every facet of my game. My goals for the team were to have a winning season, win the conference, and make a run at the national title. At the community level I wanted to have a positive impact at my school and with the surrounding area. Reflecting back on this I obviously was not able to achieve every single goal I set out to accomplish however, I was able to make significant strides in each of these areas.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

My coaches and teammates would say that Im diligent, hardworking, and ambitious player who enjoys the process of becoming great. I will come in put my head down, work, and bring others with me because I want to do whatever it takes to succeed.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

As I study the film of the opposing team I focus first on their team as a whole; what types plays the offensive coordinator likes to run, what they like to do situationally, and who they want to get the football to. Then I will begin to focus on specific players I know I will face a good amount in the game; figuring out what they like to do, any tendencies they may have, and try to get into their thought process as the game goes on. After this I will continue to watch film throughout the week moreso focusing on how they run certain plays and putting myself in defensive calls that may be a weakness for us and working out how it would all look in my head. When I study practice film I will dissect every step I took and read I made in order to see where I can be more efficient on the field.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

I believe my leadership, intelligence, versatility, and work ethic make me one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. My current and former coaches, fellow players, and organizational staff can all attest to my abilities. I understand that being a leader requires you to be personable, relate to others, and unify everyone towards a common goal. Knowing this has helped me command the defense from the middle linebacker position. My intelligence on the field gives me an edge as well because it allows me to capitalize on my God-given ability as an athlete so that I’m in the right place at the right time. I also believe that I offer versatility as I have been and will continue to line up in different positions and take on responsibilities not required of a typical linebacker. My work ethic is what enhances all of these traits as well. I understand that to be a great player I have to continuously develop these qualities; I have to find out how I can improve my leadership, enhance my knowledge of the game, and become a more versatile player on the field. That is why I put in more than what is required of me so I can get to where I need to go.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

My top priority this offseason is to continue to improve my power and speed to best prepare myself for testing. To do this I plan on finding a performance center to train at as soon as possible and just go to work. I also plan to play in some senior bowl games I have been invited too as well.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

As I mentioned before, I believe my leadership, intelligence, versatility, and work ethic are some of my greatest strengths. Other than that I think I have proven I’m a guy who’s great for any locker room because I love being apart of the team at any capacity. I also love to become apart of the community outside the locker room as well with any outreach/volunteering programs that I can find.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

I would like NFL and other pro teams to know that I’m a team player determined to help the organization succeed. Not only do I have high expectations for myself, but I also hold high expectations for those around me. In my experience, I have found that the more I’ve helped others succeed the better I’ve become whether that be helping teammates learn the play calls or staying later to help other guys get some extra reps on concepts we learned during practice. All these experiences have helped me and my teammates grow as players and helped me increase my knowledge of every aspect of the game itself.