Clemson plans to play Christian Wilkins at both defensive end and defensive tackle when the second-ranked Tigers visit Auburn on Sept. 3. Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said they will play the sophomore at both positions because Wilkins can handle playing both.

“He is in great shape, has great endurance. He is super smart. A lot of people think that’s hard, and typically it would be, but not for him,” Venables said following Tuesday’s practice. “He is just different … In how he thinks, what he knows and then athletically.”

Venables would not reveal if Wilkins would start at defensive end against Auburn in 11 days, instead he said they are working a lot of different guys, including Richard Yeargin, Chris Register, Clelin Ferrell and Jabril Robinson to replace Austin Bryant, who injured his foot last week.

“It really doesn’t matter who we start. We will go in there wanting to play four or five guys,” Venables said. “We will see by the time we get around there next week.”

Venables went on to say Wilkins was one of the top tree pass rushers on the team regardless if he is playing inside or outside.

“I think he is one of those top three … he is,” the defensive coordinator said. “We have some good ones up front.”

Linebacker Ben Boulware describes Wilkins as “a freak” at defensive end.

“He can do what he wants,” the senior said. “He has obviously done a good job of learning the mental side of defensive end and the three-technique, but physically he can do what he wants. He can play end, he can play nose, he can play three, he is just physically gifted.

“If he can just learn the defensive end part of the game plan, he will make a bunch of plays.”

When it comes to setting the edge on running plays, Boulware says Wilkins isn’t having any issues getting outside and containing things.

“He is pretty athletic for 315 pounds,” Boulware said. “He can move pretty well on his feet. I don’t think that will be a problem for him.”

Auburn will pull out all the tricks. Venables says he expects Gus Malzahn to come with his full arsenal on Sept. 3, and that includes trick plays.

“Oh yeah! They will have them all ready for good ol’ Clemson,” Venables said. “It’s the opener man, are you kidding me!? They got them all. Just go down the list. They’ll have a bunch of them ready.”

He doesn’t care. Venables said it doesn’t bother him at all if Auburn waits until the last minute to name a quarterback.

Malzahn said last Saturday that Sean White, Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin III are still taking snaps with the first-team offense.

“For us, from what we have seen on tape, the schemes for the most part remain the same,” the Clemson coach said. “They do a good job spreading you out and running the football, being physical and utilizing the entire field.

“(Johnson and White) have experience and have been in the system for a few years now so I’m sure there is a good trust factor. Moving forward, we have to prepare for both quarterbacks.”

They also have worry about Franklin, who Venables says it a lot like Nick Marshall, who took Auburn to the national championship game in 2013.

“Speaking of fast, he is real fast and he can really fly and can take the top off. He doesn’t need much,” Venables said.