FSU DE Jalen Wilkerson declares for NFL Draft

’Tis the season of early draft declarations, and the latest for Florida State is defensive end Jalen Wilkerson.

A former tight end recruit, Wilkerson moved to the defensive side of the ball and contributed as a rotational player for two seasons. This past year, he racked up 19 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks as a reserve player behind Josh Sweat and Brian Burns.

Wilkerson was not expected to go pro early, but could impress scouts with a good performance at Florida State’s annual pro day. At 6-5, 283-pounds, Wilkerson has prototypical size to play defensive end at the professional level.

With Wilkerson’s declaration, Florida State will return six defensive ends in 2018 with the assumption that current recruit Chaz Neal signs with the ’Noles. Most notable amongst that group are junior and current starter Brian Burns, sophomore and former five-star recruit Joshua Kaindoh, and redshirt sophomore Janarius Robinson.