Kristian Wilkerson Bio
Kristian Wilkerson (born January 10, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver who has spent time with multiple National Football League franchises since entering the league in 2020. He played college football for the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, where he set several school receiving records. Although he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, Wilkerson has continued to find opportunities through practice squads and short stints on active rosters across the league.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 214 pounds, Wilkerson is known for his reliable hands and ability to contribute as a perimeter target. His professional journey has taken him through six organizations, demonstrating persistence and a steady work ethic. He remains an active player in the NFL as of the most recent reporting period.
Early Life and Background
Kristian Wilkerson was born on January 10, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up in the same city that produced several notable football prospects, and he attended Craigmont High School in Memphis. His time at Craigmont helped establish his early identity as a wide receiver and prepared him for the next level of competition.
Wilkerson’s athletic development continued through his high school years, where his receiving skills began to attract college attention. The Memphis area has a long tradition of producing skilled football players, and Wilkerson’s progression reflected that environment. His decision to remain in-state to begin his college recruitment process led him toward opportunities at the NCAA Division I FCS level.
Path to American Football
Following his time at Craigmont, Wilkerson committed to Southeast Missouri State University, where he joined the Redhawks football program in 2015. He spent five seasons with the team, redshirting his first year to develop his body and understanding of the offense. Over the following seasons, he grew into one of the most productive receivers in the Ohio Valley Conference.
During his redshirt senior campaign, Wilkerson caught 71 passes for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning first-team All-OVC honors and second-team All-American recognition from HERO Sports. He finished his collegiate career with 219 receptions for 3,540 yards and 33 touchdowns, all of which set school records. His college production made him an attractive undrafted free agent signing, leading to his first professional opportunity with the Tennessee Titans in 2020.
Kristian Wilkerson Career
Early Career (2020)
Wilkerson signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2020, beginning his professional career. He was waived on September 5, 2020, during final roster cuts. Despite the short stay, the signing confirmed that his college production had translated into legitimate NFL interest.
Just three days later, on September 8, 2020, Wilkerson was signed to the practice squad of the New England Patriots. He was elevated to the Patriots’ active roster on November 9 and made his NFL debut that night on Monday Night Football in a 30-27 win over the New York Jets. The debut came in a nationally televised game and gave Wilkerson his first taste of regular-season action.
New England Patriots Tenure (2020-2022)
Wilkerson signed a reserve/future contract with New England on January 4, 2021, and spent the bulk of the year on the practice squad. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, but re-signed with the practice squad the following day. His familiarity with the Patriots’ system made him a dependable depth piece throughout the 2021 season.
On January 2, 2022, Wilkerson was elevated for the Week 17 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and scored his first two NFL touchdowns in that contest. He signed another reserve/future contract on January 17, 2022, and went into the 2022 offseason as a developmental receiver. On August 30, 2022, he was placed on injured reserve, and on February 15, 2023, the Patriots waived him, ending his tenure in New England.
Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders (2023-2024)
On February 16, 2023, Wilkerson was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts, though he was waived by Indianapolis on May 2 of the same year. The brief stay in Indianapolis did not produce a regular-season appearance, but the claim showed continued league interest in his potential.
Wilkerson signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on May 15, 2023, beginning his most stable professional stretch. He was waived on November 4, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad three days later, then signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. After being waived on August 27, 2024, he again returned to the practice squad, signed another reserve/future deal on January 6, 2025, and was released by the Raiders on May 12, 2025.
Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans Returns (2025)
On May 19, 2025, Wilkerson signed with the Buffalo Bills, continuing his pattern of finding new opportunities each offseason. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was released on November 11, 2025, ending his first stint in Buffalo.
Wilkerson signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on November 18, 2025, returning to the team that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent. He was released on November 25, re-signed on December 2, and released again on December 22, 2025. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad on January 13, 2026, marking his second stint with the franchise.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Wilkerson’s career came on January 2, 2022, when he scored his first two NFL touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His Monday Night Football debut against the New York Jets in 2020 also stood as a career highlight. The combination of school records at Southeast Missouri State and the ability to find new teams each season reflects a career built on resilience.
Kristian Wilkerson Career Wins
Kristian Wilkerson has compiled his professional resume through a steady progression of practice squad elevations and short stints on active rosters. While he has not posted a large volume of regular-season statistics, his career includes three receiving touchdowns across his first four NFL seasons. His statistical line as of the 2024 season stood at 6 receptions for 60 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, reflecting his role as a depth and situational receiver.
NFL Highlights
Wilkerson’s top NFL moments include his two-touchdown game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 of the 2021 season and his Monday Night Football debut with the New England Patriots. His reserve/future contracts with New England and Las Vegas also marked seasons where he built long-term relationships with two organizations.
Other Performances
At the collegiate level, Wilkerson earned first-team All-OVC honors in 2019 and second-team All-OVC recognition in 2018. His redshirt senior totals of 71 catches, 1,350 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns cemented his place among the most productive receivers in Southeast Missouri State history.
Kristian Wilkerson Family
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Kristian Wilkerson’s family life remain limited. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and continues to be identified with the city where his football journey began. Outside of his professional career, his personal life has remained largely private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of movement for Kristian Wilkerson, as he transitioned between three different organizations across the calendar year. He began the season with the Buffalo Bills after signing on May 19, 2025, and was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26. He rejoined the Bills’ practice squad the following day, working to earn another opportunity.
Wilkerson was released by the Bills on November 11, 2025, but quickly signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on November 18, returning to the franchise where his career began. The Titans released him on November 25, re-signed him on December 2, and released him again on December 22, 2025. The constant movement between practice squads illustrated both his persistence and the competitive nature of NFL roster management.
Looking ahead, Wilkerson signed with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad on January 13, 2026, opening a path toward the next offseason program. His continued ability to land opportunities across multiple teams suggests he will remain a candidate for a depth role or practice squad promotion in the seasons to come.