Before his unfortunate demise, Wilkerson was employed as an assistant coach at Carl Albert High School. According to The Oklahoman, the Titans were scheduled to have their final practice before the Saturday game. A few hours before the planned schedule, the former OU standout was at home when a call went out to paramedics for an emergency. Wilkerson, however, was reportedly no longer with us before the officials arrived. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his untimely death.

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More about the NFL star’s pro career. His son is also a football player

Throughout his NFL career, the Oklahoma athlete played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2003-07. Eventually, he switched over to Tampa Bay for two seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints roster in 2010. His NFL path culminated with Seattle in 2011.

The late assistant coach’s son, senior tight-end Maddox Wilkerson, followed in his father’s footsteps, playing alongside his teammates for Carl Albert. With barely a day elapsed between his dad breathing his last breath and his school’s showdown against Guthrie, the #45 athlete (the same number his dad wore while playing at the collegiate level) still stepped up to the occasion and participated in the crucial match, which ultimately paved the way for a historic victory.

Jimmy Wilkerson’s memory honoured by historic Carl Albert victory

Despite reeling from the older Wilkerson’s death, the Carl Albert team defeated Guthrie 30-6 at the Class 5A state championship football game at the Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Saturday, December 14. It marked the school’s third consecutive Class 5A title and the program’s 19th overall. Nevertheless, the post-game visuals stung with the abject pain of loss.

With tears in his eyes, Carl Albert coach Mike Dunn praised the student-athletes for rising above the prevailing hardship, saying, “Proud of all of our guys. Different circumstances today. … I don’t know that we’ve ever dealt with adversity like that.”

Maddox’s mother, Jamie, reportedly offered him the option to sit out the game. Yet he did more than show up for the team. “We were trying really hard to get him in” the end zone, Dunn said of the young player. “But he’s made plays all year long, and so I know his dad would be proud of him.”

He added, “You talk about hard. That kid dealt with a lot. … He’s a great kid, great family and he’s gonna have a bunch of coaches, we’ll never be his dad, but we’ll always be there for him.”

“Everybody earned this…but this one’s going home tonight with Maddox Wilkerson.”

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Maddox Wilkerson’s teammates stand by him

Carl Albert Captain Caden Davis said of the late NFL player, “You can’t replace a guy like Coach Wilkerson. He’s so selfless and gives everything he has to everybody.”

Alluding to the example set by Maddox, he added, “That guy is so tough. Maddox is such a strong guy.”

Similarly, linebacker and OU signee Marcus James noted, “He came out and handled business like he was supposed to. … It was great for him to come out and be able to take the field and be able to play after a time like that.”

On Friday, the deceased NFL talent’s son paid a tribute to his father on Instagram. “You were the best dad and also my best friend,” he wrote on social media. “I love you so much, Dad. Life won’t ever be the same without you here by my side.”

According to social media receipts, Jimmy Wilkerson is survived by his wife, Jamie, and four kids, Tyson, Maddox, Jax, and Emilia.

Ex-Alabama football cornerback Jahlil Hurley has committed to Kansas, On3 reported Sunday, citing Hurley’s agent, Casey Gunn.

Hurley re-posted the news on X shortly after.

Hurley, a Florence native, played in nine games this past season for the Crimson Tide. He didn’t see any playing time during his first season in 2023. The 247Sports Composite listed Hurley as the No. 50 player overall in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 5 cornerback as a four-star recruit.

Hurley announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal before Alabama learned it would not make the College Football Playoff. Others have since joined him, including the likes of defensive back DeVonta Smith, running back Justice Haynes and receiver Kendrick Law, among others. Hurley joins Keanu Koht (Vanderbilt) as former Alabama players who have already found new homes.

The transfer portal has been open for about a week and will remain open for about two more weeks.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Kansas State star running back DJ Giddens officially declared for the 2025 Draft Saturday afternoon.

“After discussing all of my options with the people closest to me over the past couple of weeks, I believe that everything I’ve been through in my life has led me to this exact moment in time ready to chase my dream of playing in the National Football League, and with that, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft!”

The All-Big 12 rusher has been one of the best at the position in school history. He’s collected 3,087 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground and 58 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns.

So it’s no surprise that fans and viewers were sentimental watching the superstar depart for the NFL.

“DJ Giddens is heading to the NFL, what an outstanding career,” 247 Sports’ Cole Carmody said. “DJ is truly one of the best running backs in K-State history. One of the coolest dudes you’ll ever meet, he’ll be extremely successful at the next level!”

Giddens entered Kansas State as a zero-star recruit but exits as one of the conference’s top players.

He has shot up in draft projections, projected to potentially be selected as early as the second round. Giddens could aid a team like the Jacksonville Jaguars or Cincinnati Bengals.

Meanwhile, K-State will prepare for the Rate Bowl against Rutgers. They also need to regroup their offense, as they are now out on their top rusher and top two receivers from last season.

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.