Kristian Wilkerson Bio
Kristian Wilkerson (born January 10, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays in the National Football League. He played college football for the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, where he established himself as one of the most productive receivers in school history. Wilkerson went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft but has since built a journeyman career across multiple NFL franchises, including the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills.
Early Life and Background
Kristian Wilkerson was born on January 10, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Craigmont High School in Memphis, where he developed his skills as a wide receiver. His upbringing in Memphis, a city with a rich football tradition, provided him with early exposure to competitive play at the high school level.
Path to Professional Football
After completing high school, Wilkerson pursued collegiate football at Southeast Missouri State University. He joined the Redhawks program in 2015 and spent five seasons with the team. As a true freshman, he redshirted, allowing him to develop physically and technically without burning a year of eligibility. This developmental period proved beneficial as he transitioned to the collegiate level.
Kristian Wilkerson College Career
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (2015–2019)
Wilkerson redshirted as a true freshman in 2015, using that season to adapt to the speed and complexity of college football. He emerged as a significant contributor in subsequent seasons, steadily increasing his production year after year.
As a redshirt senior during the 2019 season, Wilkerson delivered his most outstanding collegiate performance. He caught 71 passes for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors. He also received second-team All-American recognition from HERO Sports. Over his entire collegiate career, Wilkerson accumulated 219 receptions for 3,540 yards and 33 touchdowns, all of which remain school records at Southeast Missouri State.
Kristian Wilkerson Professional Career
Early NFL Journey (2020)
Despite his impressive collegiate statistics, Wilkerson went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2020. However, his tenure with the Titans was brief, as he was waived on September 5, 2020, during final roster cuts.
New England Patriots (2020–2022)
Wilkerson joined the New England Patriots practice squad on September 8, 2020. He was elevated to the Patriots active roster on November 9, 2020, and made his NFL debut that night on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets. The Patriots defeated the Jets 30-27 in that game. After his debut, Wilkerson returned to the practice squad.
Wilkerson signed a reserve/future contract with New England on January 4, 2021. He was released during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, but re-signed to the practice squad the following day, demonstrating his value as a developmental player within the organization.
On January 2, 2022, Wilkerson was elevated for the Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that contest, he scored his first two NFL touchdowns, marking a significant milestone in his professional career. He signed another reserve/future contract with the Patriots on January 17, 2022.
On August 30, 2022, Wilkerson was placed on injured reserve, ending his season prematurely. The Patriots waived him on February 15, 2023.
Indianapolis Colts (2023)
On February 16, 2023, Wilkerson was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. He appeared in limited action during the 2023 season before being waived by the Colts on May 2, 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023–2024)
Wilkerson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on May 15, 2023. He was waived on November 4, 2023, but re-signed to the Raiders practice squad three days later. He signed another reserve/future contract with Las Vegas on January 8, 2024.
On August 27, 2024, Wilkerson was again waived by the Raiders and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas on January 6, 2025. Wilkerson was released by the Raiders on May 12, 2025.
Buffalo Bills and Return to Tennessee (2025)
Wilkerson signed with the Buffalo Bills on May 19, 2025. He was released on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the Bills practice squad the following day. He was released by Buffalo on November 11, 2025.
On November 18, 2025, Wilkerson signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad. He was released on November 25, 2025, but re-signed to the Titans practice squad on December 2, 2025. He was released by the Titans on December 22, 2025. Wilkerson signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad again on January 13, 2026.
Kristian Wilkerson Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2020 through the 2024 season, Wilkerson has appeared in games with multiple franchises, contributing primarily as a depth receiver and special teams player.
NFL Career Highlights
His most notable professional achievement came during the 2022 season with the New England Patriots when he scored his first two NFL touchdowns in a Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Across his NFL career through the 2024 season, Wilkerson has recorded 6 receptions for 60 yards and 3 touchdowns. His journey through six NFL franchises demonstrates his persistence and ability to earn opportunities at the professional level despite going undrafted.
College Career Highlights
Wilkerson holds the distinction of being the all-time leading receiver in Southeast Missouri State history. His 3,540 career receiving yards, 219 receptions, and 33 touchdowns all stand as school records. His 2019 senior season was particularly impressive, as he averaged over 19 yards per reception while earning first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors and second-team All-American recognition from HERO Sports.
Career Statistics Overview
| Competition | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (2020-2024) | 6 | 60 | 3 |
| College Career (2015-2019) | 219 | 3,540 | 33 |
Kristian Wilkerson Family and Personal Life
Kristian Wilkerson grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where he attended Craigmont High School. Information regarding his family background, parents, siblings, or personal relationships is not publicly available. Wilkerson maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares updates about his football career with his followers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another chapter in Wilkerson’s journeyman NFL career. After being released by the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2025, he signed with the Buffalo Bills and spent time on their active roster and practice squad. He was waived during final roster cuts in August before rejoining the Bills practice squad.
Following his time with the Bills, Wilkerson joined the Tennessee Titans practice squad in November 2025. He experienced multiple transactions between the Titans and Bills practice squads throughout the latter part of the season, demonstrating the challenging reality of securing a permanent roster spot in the NFL as a journeyman player.
Wilkerson’s career trajectory illustrates the competitive nature of the NFL and the perseverance required for undrafted players to maintain professional careers. With limited statistical production at the NFL level, his value has come through special teams contributions and readiness when called upon. His continued opportunities with multiple franchises suggest that coaches have valued his work ethic, positional versatility, and institutional knowledge of offensive systems.