After helping with a goal line stand midway through the fourth quarter, than assuming his role and doing a stellar job as a blocking tight end to salt away a win, DeMatha Catholic High (Hyattsville, Md.) standout Brent Wilkerson quickly learned how much he exhausted his body.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Wilkerson changed, did interviews and then ascended the stairs at Morgan State’s stadium, only to have his body experience full cramping at the top.
Paramedics were called and Wilkerson was treated, but it was a draining day on so many levels.
However, the 24-20 win taught Wilkerson, a Penn State commit, plenty about his team.
“It proved to my team, to myself and to my coaches that we’re a family, and when things get tight we’re going to pull together and work as a team,” said Wilkerson, who played defensive end and tight end the whole game. “It meant a lot, for the defense to come up big like that and get a stop for the offense, and then for the offense to drive down as far as we did and get the time off the clock, that was big also.”
The season-opening win also meant DeMatha was finally removed from a tumultuous season in which the coach resigned and players transferred.
“It was kind of rough, but we got through it,” he said. “Once we found out who our coach (Elijah Brooks) was, we went full speed ahead. It was tough, but you have to adapt to everything. You can’t complain about it. You have to just go with it.”
Although Wilkerson plays on both sides of the ball and many schools viewed him as a defensive end, he was recruited to play tight end at Penn State.
“As of right now, I’m going to play tight end,” Wilkerson said. “I don’t think it’s going to change, but it can. I’m going to play tight end right now. I love offense, catching the rock and blocking. I love catching the ball and making plays, but (blocking) is something you have to do to be a great tight end.”
Just because he committed in April, though, doesn’t mean all schools cut ties with him.
“It’s Virginia and North Carolina that stay in contact with me but I’m still solid with Penn State,” he said. “I listen to what they have to say to be respectful, but I’m 100 percent with Penn State.”
Wilkerson isn’t planning his official visit until after the season, but he plans to be on Penn State’s campus Saturday.
“I’m going to the Alabama game,” he said. “It’s a big game. Alabama put a beat down on them last year, so I want to see how they respond, and see what the game day atmosphere is like.”