Tyler Wilkins – Wide Receiver – Senior – Richmond

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Tyler Wilkins:  Height is 6’2’’, weight is 198 and 40 time is a 4.5.

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?

Tyler Wilkins:  I received offers from Towson University, Virginia Military Institute, James Madison University, Norfolk State University, and the University of Richmond.

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Richmond?

Tyler Wilkins: I was originally committed to James Madison University under head coach Everett Withers.  I was committed to them from the end of my junior year in high school up until the second playoff game of my senior year when they revoked my scholarship based on recruiting numbers and over offering players (they found another recruit they wanted more than me).  This set me back and left me with zero offers and without a new home for post graduation.  University of Richmond showed interest in early January and coach Danny Rocco eventually extended the offer late January just a few weeks before the National Signing Day.  In short, I chose Richmond because they were my only offer.  I also believed in the vision that Danny Rocco and his staff had for the program and the potential that the vision had to create a positive affect in my life away from football.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Tyler Wilkins:  Catching, understanding body movements and body position to create separation through route running, and the ability to adapt quickly to different positions and playbook.

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Tyler Wilkins:  I believe that all aspects of my game can constantly be improved at any point and time.  I feel as if focusing on improving my strength, speed, and tightening up my routes would be a great start.

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career to us.

Tyler Wilkins:  Described in one word, it’s been a blessing.  My first year, I was a true freshman and I was splitting time with Porter Abell at the slot position while playing beside Bryan Brown (#1 all-time leader in receiving yards in school history), Reggie Diggs (All-American wide receiver), and throwing the ball was, recently selected 4th round pick in the 2018 draft, Kyle Lauletta.  I was also privileged enough to learn under Charlie Fisher (current wide receivers coach for Arizona State University) and his pro-style offense, influenced by Bill O’Brien.  I played a small role while still developing and adjusting to college football.  I ended the season with 12 receptions for 162 yards in 13 games helping the team to a semifinal appearance and moving into the next season as the #4 ranked team in the nation.

My sophomore year, my role on the team was increased as I won the role of the starting slot receiver.  We returned Bryan Brown and Kyle Lauletta while replacing Reggie Diggs with Jarmal Bevels due to graduation.  Over the course of my sophomore year, I was blessed to be able to learn from our new offensive coordinator John Garrett who in recent years was with the Florida Gators, Oregon State University, and the Dallas Cowboys with his younger brother Jason Garrett.  I was still operating in a pro-style offense.  Coach Garrett brought a new system that was similar to that of the Dallas Cowboys.  Opening the season at the University of Virginia, I hauled in two touchdown passes and finished the season second on the team in catches and receiving yards with 40 catches and 561 receiving yards.  We finished the season as one of the top 10 teams in the nation at the FCS level making a run in the playoffs that ended in the quarterfinal game at the University of Eastern Washington. I also ended the year as a third team All- CAA wide receiver.

My junior year kicked off with a coaching change.  Coach Danny Rocco left for Delaware while Russ Huesman assumed the head coaching position.  Our new offensive coordinator was Jeff Durden whose offensive philosophy was more run-pass option as opposed to a pro-style system.  We returned Kyle Lauletta at quarterback while Dejon Brissett and Cortrelle Simpson (Temple University transfer) played beside me at the receiver position.  I had some trouble adjusting to the new coaching staff and the new systems that were being implemented.  I lost the starting job during camp and earned my way back into the starting role just before the opening game of the season.  I finished the season as a second team All-CAA receiver along with Cortrelle Simpson and Dejon Brissett, who finished the season as a first team All-CAA receiver.  I only played in 11 games due to our 6-5 record, but I managed to haul in 62 passes for 876 yards and eight touchdowns which was third on the team in receiving yards and catches and first for touchdowns among Cortrelle, Dejon, and myself.  Unfortunately due to our 6-5 record we lost our shot at a run in the playoffs.  My career high game came during my junior year against James Madison University.  Kyle and I were able to connect 12 times for 180 yards and a touchdown.

My senior year is still being written and although it is far from the outcome anyone expected, my teammates and I continue to fight and enjoy playing the game we all love while developing our relationships with each other off the field.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your individual and team goals for your senior
season?

Tyler Wilkins:  I went into my senior year with the goal of becoming a team captain for a National Championship team.  I also had the goal of becoming a first team All-American receiver.  Team goals were to win the conference title, make a run in the playoffs and close out our season as the National Champions.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Tyler Wilkins:  The highlight of my career so far has been the experience I had my first two years under coach Danny Rocco.  It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of the team and the culture that my teammates set for each other and our institution.  Moments like beating JMU on college game day my freshman year, making a semifinal run my sophomore year and playing in the Fargodome against NDSU, making ESPN top 10 plays with my catch against the University of North Dakota that helped send us to the quarterfinals, playing at the Inferno of Eastern Washington and being able to see the beautiful city of Spokane.  The last highlight of my career at the University of Richmond is probably the life lessons I learned in my first two years, being around coaches who were ex-NFL players and other coaches who had experience coaching in the NFL, taking what they were pouring into my life and using those lessons to become a better son, player, and student.

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff during your time at Richmond?

Tyler Wilkins: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is how to handle your business on and off the field, and how the things you do off the field, no matter how big or small, translate to your performance on the field and vise versa.  The most memorable thing a coach told me came from John Garrett during a discussion we had about how to be successful.  He told me that there are two versions of myself, “a version that is prepared and ready to go and a version that is unprepared.”  He told me that it was my choice as to which one I would be.  I took this to heart and understood that I would have to do whatever it took to be mentally and physically prepared to be a better son, a better student, and a better player if I wanted to be successful in life.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Tyler Wilkins:  Dallas Cowboys.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Tyler Wilkins:  Larry Fitzgerald.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a WR?

Tyler Wilkins:  Having the same mental and physical capability to have a positive effect on the game without the ball in your hands as you would with it.

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from a defense?

Tyler Wilkins: Alignment and posture of the secondary and the linebackers along with the eyes of the secondary.

Alex Khvatov:  What other players on your team should we keep an eye on
this season?

Tyler Wilkins: Dejon Brissett, Cortrelle Simpson, Kevin Johnson, John Yarbrough, Justin Rubin and our entire defensive line.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Tyler Wilkins:  The most memorable match-up for me was against Rashard Robinson my junior year in the game against James Madison University.  Not too many other teams played man coverage against us, which was partially due to the big play ability of Cortrelle Simpson and Dejon Brissett.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Tyler Wilkins:  Everything.  It’s really hard to answer this because I love every aspect of football.  But If I had to choose one thing, it would probably be the team aspect, being a part of something bigger than myself.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your biggest role model and why?

Tyler Wilkins: My mother is my biggest role model.  She’s taught me strength and what it means to be resilient.  What my mother has poured into my life is priceless and has truly molded me to become who I am today.  She’s my best friend.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Tyler Wilkins:  Not sure if I really have any hobbies.  I enjoy playing basketball whenever I’m not playing football, but overall football is my life.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football
career is over?

Tyler Wilkins:  I want to begin my own non-profit organization with the goal of helping support under privileged kids.  Give them the proper guidance with athletic training and academic resources, so that they have an equal chance to obtain success in their lives.

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have learned in life so far?

Tyler Wilkins: It sounds simple, but the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is how to listen.

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Tyler Wilkins:  Loyal, caring, tough, resilient and aware.