Spurning a chance to walk on at Mount Olive College, home of the reigning NCAA Division II national champions, Wilkins opted to take the offer of Div. III Methodist University instead.
"I had a better chance to play at Methodist than I would Mount Olive," Wilkins said in a telephone interview Friday after announcing his college plans in the North Johnston media center.
Because Div. III schools cannot give athletic scholarships, Wilkins said he will receive a financial aid package from Methodist.
Wilkins, a right-handed pitcher, hopes to land a spot in the rotation of the Monarchs of the USA South Conference.
Methodist, under veteran head coach Tom Austin, had its string of three straight USA South championships snapped this past spring. Despite the strength of the program, Wilkins said Austin predicted good things for him if he adheres to the recommended offseason conditioning program.
"He said that if I worked like I'm supposed to, I have a chance to be a freshman pitcher for the varsity level," said Wilkins, the son of Michael and Shannon Wilkins of Micro.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder went 7-1 for the Panthers this spring as they captured the 1-A Carolina Conference title. He batted .379 with two home runs in this third season of varsity baseball at North Johnston.
Currently, Wilkins plays infield and pitches for the Benson American Legion Post 109 team.