FORT SMITH — Union Christian quarterback/defensive back Aaron Collins had to think about it for a minute since he could benefit from either way he answered.
Senior teammate Michael Wilkerson has been effective as both a versatile tight end and defensive standout at middle linebacker. Collins passes to Wilkerson on offense and plays behind him at a cornerback spot.
So, where would he rather see Wilkerson play?
"It's hard for me say," Collins said. "He loves playing middle linebacker, and I love that he can play offense."
That versatility explains in part why several major colleges have inquired about Wilkerson, a 6-3, 240-pound standout who also carries a 3.2 grade-point average.
Vanderbilt, Purdue and Arkansas have all made contact, Wilkerson said, and he has taken a visit to Southern Illinois, a Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse and a former Division I-AA national champion.
Wilkerson caught just 15 passes last season, but he played about half the season banged up which limited his opportunities. He sustained a chipped patella bone in his right knee against Hartford in the fourth game of the season and was sidelined the following week at Mountain Pine. The Eagles lost that game.
He came back the following week, but he never felt like he was at 100 percent for the remainder of the season.
"It's never fun to have to sit out," said Wilkerson, who also played basketball and competed for the track team last season. "I like to play the game. I don't like to watch."
There is no question Union Christian is a better team when Wilkerson is on the field.
In a conference like the 4-2A, where it seems almost every team is short on numbers, twoway players are a necessity. Most of those teams don't have someone like Wilkerson, who offers a big target on offense and racked up 110 tackles on defense as a junior.
Wilkerson showed just how valuable he was last season, particularly on defense, when Union Christian met 4-2A Conference champion Johnson County Westside. He collected 22 tackles inthat game, even though the Eagles came up short 16-13 and had to settle for second place behind the Rebels.
He certainly left an impression on Westside Coach Kenny Shelton.
"He hurt us on defense," Shelton said. "He wreaked havoc and made us have to work. He's definitely a great defensive player, and a he'll be a key matchup for us."
It was a devastating defeat for Wilkerson and Union Christian, as was the Eagles' sloppy performance in a 20-13 loss to Marvell in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs at Union Christian.
The Eagles expect to use those letdowns to help them contend for the championship again this season.
"Disappointment is one of the great catalysts for making you want to go harder," Wilkerson said. "It's always one of the biggest things that put you to the limit. That's the great thing about motivation. You have to be focused on what you're doing."
If forced to make a choice, Wilkerson said he'd probablyprefer to play defense in college, but no question the Eagles need him on both sides of the ball. Coach Bob Hattabaugh said he'll shift Wilkerson around in different offensive formations to create mismatches against smaller linebackers.
What could draw him to Southern Illinois if the Salukis were to offer him a scholarship is their no-huddle offense. The coaches there told Wilkerson they want players who can do everything, from playing down in a tight end spot to lining up in the backfield.
He should get plenty of chances at Union Christian to show what he can do this season with a veteran quarterback in place.
"He is definitely my No. 1 receiver," Collins said.
Wilkerson said linebacker is his best spot on defense, but he could operate as a down lineman to take advantage of his quickness and power coming off the corner.
"Any place I get to play on the defense is fine with me," he said. "If it's second-and-10, I love to play a Mike backer and come on the blitz and get the quarterback. Hitting a fullback in the hole, it's always fun to do that.
"To be honest, I just want to play the game."
Sports, Pages 88 on 08/30/2009