Christian Wilkins, the NFL defensive tackle, was once a standout defensive lineman for the Clemson Tigers in college football. Despite having multiple options for where to play collegiately, Wilkins ultimately chose Clemson due to the school’s alignment with his personal and athletic goals.
In a recent appearance on the “Third and Long” podcast, Wilkins reflected on his decision to attend Clemson. He stressed that it wasn’t for the financial incentives that some college athletes now receive through Name, Image, and Likeness deals. Instead, Wilkins was drawn to Clemson’s values and the holistic development opportunities it offered.
Wilkins highlighted how Clemson stood out to him early on, mentioning the legendary backfield duo of C.J. Spiller and James Davis that captured his attention as a young football fan. As he navigated the college recruitment process, Wilkins found that Clemson met his criteria for growth in spiritual, academic, social, and athletic aspects.
During his time at Clemson, Wilkins excelled both on and off the field. He was honored with the William V. Campbell Trophy and was a finalist for several prestigious awards, including the Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, Lott Impact Trophy, Lombardi Award, and Senior CLASS Award. Wilkins’s achievements culminated in being named a unanimous All-American.
Wilkins played a pivotal role in Clemson’s perfect 15-0 season and national championship victory over Alabama. His success at Clemson set the stage for a promising NFL career as he looks ahead to the upcoming draft.
