By Ousman Jabang decided the investment tip he had was too good to keep secret. A can’t miss opportunity, if you will.
Certainly for those who find themselves in the soccer business. Maybe even for some fans, too.
“Get your stocks in Cam Wilkerson,” the New Mexico United midfielder said Wednesday. “I’ll tell you that right now.”
Jabang is that bullish on Wilkerson, a 22-year-old fellow midfielder who at this time last year was playing and attending classes at Cal in the ACC and now finds himself in the middle of United’s title chase as a rookie. New Mexico hosts Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a Western Conference semifinals match at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
And those who invest are likely to enjoy plenty of returns.
“There’s not enough I could say,” Jabang said. “He’s top, honestly. He listens to everyone. He wants to learn from everyone. He’s so humble and just wants to get better. I mean, it’s everything you want from a young guy. If you have a team full of Cams, you’re doing the right thing. He’s a special kid.”
It just took an opportunity to showcase that. Or at least find one.
Wilkerson’s youth career featured stops at Barca Residency Academy USA as well as the academies for MLS sides Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids Academy before spending his first three college seasons at UCLA and his last one at Cal. He played 18 matches — with 16 starts — for the Golden Bears in 2025. He scored twice and assisted on two other goals in 1,235 minutes.
It was enough to only get a trial invite from United in the offseason. Assistant coach Daniel Bruce picked him up at the airport. And even that came with its own challenges.
Wilkerson spent the early part of the offseason program unable to fully display his skill set. He spent time instead recovering and rehabbing from various “small injuries.” New Mexico, however, decided to keep the 6-foot, 163-pounder around and allow him to get healthy.
Once he was, the club liked enough of what it saw on the pitch — his ability to use both feet effectively and his versatility to move around to different positions — and off it — listening to veteran players like Jabang, forward Greg Hurst and midfielder Sofiane Djeffal among other things — to offer Wilkerson a 25-day contract.
He was still hesitant about it.
“I wasn’t sure if spending that extra month here would be worth it for me or if it would work out,” Wilkerson said.
He signed the deal March 17 anyway and played his first match a day later in a 3-2 win over Cruizers FC in the U.S. Open Cup — a start and the full 90 minutes on the right side of the defense that also came with a red card. On April 10, he was extended through the rest of the season.
“Going into this year, all the uncertainty ended up helping me just kind of mentally finding a medium and seeing what I could get out of every day,” Wilkerson said. “I like the process of just showing up every day, doing what I love to do and enjoying myself.
“It’s a long-winded way of saying, just take each day as it comes and try to get the most out of it, which is fulfillment. I don’t know how long I’ll get to do this.”
Perhaps longer than he initially thought, health permitting.
Wilkerson has appeared in 28 matches for United between the regular season, U.S. Open Cup and USL Cup with seven starts. He’s logged 1,049 minutes, 812 of which have come in non-Cup competitions with 375 (46%) of those having come since the start of September as he’s gained manager Dennis Sanchez’s trust. Wilkerson has completed 82% of his passes and even added a goal — the 81st-minute go-ahead against Phoenix Rising FC on Oct. 4 to clinch a playoff berth.
CAM WILKERSON WITH AN ABSOLUTE MISSILE OF A STRIKE! @NewMexicoUTD pic.twitter.com/AWEFOl9NXh
— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) October 4, 2026
“I feel like he’s probably figuring out how good he can really be,” Sanchez said. “It’s now, ‘How can he take the next step?’ I think that part of it is just adapting to the demands of what the game is from a physicality standpoint to the length of the season to the speed of play.
“He’s had his moments where he’s been up. He’s had his moments where he’s had his dips, but he’s peeking at the right time and he’s a guy who I think is going to have a great professional career. I think there are higher levels in his future as well.”
But for now, Wilkerson isn’t taking anything for granted. He’s trying to enjoy the moment.
“I came in with not a ton of expectations,” Wilkerson said. “As it’s been said, I came in on trial, so nothing was promised. It was taking a chance. So I think this year, considering that, it’s been very giving — with opportunities and experiences with such a good team. We have a chance at a title which is amazing, and I’m just really grateful to be a part of it.”
It’s just a matter of how high that stock will climb.
David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach.
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