Gerris Wilkinson attended Skyline High School in Oakland, California. As a junior, Gerris totaled 85 tackles and 8 sacks on the season. As a senior he finished with 127 tackles, 6 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles on his way to all-East Bay, all-city, and all-state honors. Following his senior season he was selected to play in the California-Florida all-star game. He accepted a scholarship to Georgia Tech where he sat out the 2001 season as a redshirt. He spent the 2002 season as a reserve outside linebacker, finishing with 2 tackles on the season. As a sophomore, Gerris converted to defensive end where he started every game, totaling 47 tackles and 4 sacks on the season. He was named to the ACC all-academic team for his performance in the classroom. He moved back to linebacker as a junior and had career highs in tackles (119), sacks (4 ½ ), and forced fumbles (1). He was named second team all-ACC for his performance as a junior. Gerris had another solid season as a senior, finishing his career at Georgia Tech with 85 tackles, 4 sacks, and a career high 2 interceptions on the year.

Gerris Wilkinson is a versatile player who has started at defensive end, outside linebacker, and middle linebacker during his time at Georgia Tech. He has good size for a linebacker with the frame to add more bulk. He has good speed with the range to make plays all over the field. He is a hard hitter and a fundamentally sound tackler. Wilkinson is also a very good pass rusher who has totaled 12 ½ sacks over the past three seasons. One of Wilkinson’s major problems is his consistency. He has a tendency to look very good one week and very average the next week. He has a good frame but he may need to bulk up some and increase his strength. He also needs to improve his coverage ability to be an effective three down linebacker at the next level. Gerris is still a bit raw. He has switched positions every year in college and really needs to focus on a single position. He has a good deal of upside and could project as a middle linebacker or outside linebacker at the next level depending on the team that drafts him. He should be a late first or early second day pick in the 2006 NFL draft.