KSU Hall of Famer in critical condition

Doug Gulasy

Eric Wilkerson, the second-leading rusher in Kent State football history, is listed in critical condition after being stabbed yesterday morning, according to WEWS Channel 5 in Cleveland.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric, hoping that he survives,” Kent State Director of Athletics Laing Kennedy said.

As a running back, at Kent State from 1985-88, Wilkerson rushed for 3,830 yards and 36 touchdowns on 739 attempts, second in program history in all three categories.

He was twice named an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, in 1987 and 1988, and was named to the All Mid-American Conference First Team in both years. In 1987, Wilkerson was named MAC Player of the Year after rushing for 1,221 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“It’s pretty well-documented that he was a great football player, our second-leading rusher of all time, second to Astron Whatley,” Kennedy said.

Wilkerson also played two games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989 and led the World League of American Football in rushing in 1991, while he was a member of the New York-New Jersey Knights.

He was inducted into the Kent State Varsity “K” Hall of Fame in 1995.

Police are continuing their investigation of the stabbing. No further details were known as of press time.

Contact sports reporter Doug Gulasy at [email protected].