Named to the Pro Bowl three times, he was also a three-time All-Pro, including a first-team selection in 1982.

[3] Initially, Wilkerson accepted a scholarship to play at Michigan State under coach Duffy Daugherty.

[5] As a junior in 1968, he was named to the small college Little All-American team on defense as a middle guard by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

[12][13] After the season, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers for tight end Willie Frazier.

[11] Playing 14 seasons with San Diego, Wilkerson was named the team's Lineman of the Year seven times, including four straight from 1974 through 1977.

[16] Playing on one of the NFL's most prolific offenses, Wilkerson was named to three straight Pro Bowls starting in 1980.

[17] He ended his Chargers career with 195 games played, the second most in franchise history behind former teammate and fellow lineman Russ Washington.

[20] In his later years, Wilkerson was the strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Raiders (1990–1994) and player relations executive for the St. Louis Rams (1995–1996).