Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is once again having another good spring. The rising junior is part of a defense that has been dominating the first two scrimmages of the spring, especially the defensive line where he, along with Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence and Austin Bryant return to make up one of the best defensive fronts in the country.
The Tigers return seven starters overall on defense, a unit that ranked eighth nationally in total defense and 10th in scoring defense in 2016.
Question: Are you spending any time at end or mostly d-tackle?
Wilkins: “I’m playing wherever the coaches ask. If they want me to play inside, I’ll play inside, obviously if they want me outside I’ll play outside. I’m obviously comfortable at both, I have a year of experience at each so I’m good to go wherever they need me.”
Question: How much deeper do you feel you are at defensive end this year rather than last?
Wilkins: “We just got a lot of guys that have been around for a little while. You know me, Austin, Clelin, have been around for years, Chris and Richard they’ve been around four years and whatnot. So yeah, I know there are definitely a lot of guys who have been able to play a lot of football and have been in the system for a while, some guys who are getting more comfortable and we got some young guys around too … Young guys coming along and trying to go after it.”
Question: Nyles Pinckney had three sacks in the last scrimmage. How much further has he come since he got her?
Wilkins: “Nyles has been workin’. He’s always been a tough player and a tough competitor since he’s gotten here. Obviously d-tackle is a big thing for us and you know having guys that can go out there is real big. The more depth he can create on the inside is always a big plus for us.”
Question: Seems like a lot of teams have embraced that “Why not us?” We were talking to Ray-Ray (McCloud) on Monday night and he said “why not us going back to back-to-back?” Is that something you guys talk about or think about, why not us three times in a row?
Wilkins: “It’s not something we really think about but we know what it takes. We know how we have to practice and compete every day. We know how we have to work in the weight room. We just know what it takes to get to that point. We’ve done it twice so why not a third time.”
Question: What did you do on your spring break?
Wilkins: “I got to see a little family. Went out to out to Colorado and did some snow tubing and had a fun time like that. You know just relaxing a little bit and still did workouts and everything to stay in shape.”
Question: Is it tough to maintain that balance when you’re away on break like that?
Wilkins: “It depends who you are. For some guys it’s good to get that rest. For me I don’t feel great if I come back knowing I didn’t do anything over break. So finding an hour or two a day just to at least do something and move around, just doing something.”
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