Big-time backer talks Clemson visit, interest
By: Gavin Oliver January 23, 2018

Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson linebacker Tra Wilkins saw his recruitment explode in December. The fast-rising 2019 recruit entered the month without a scholarship offer but ended it with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee and others.

Clemson began communicating with Wilkins earlier this month, and he was invited to attend the Tigers’ elite junior day last Saturday.

Wilkins (6-2, 210) took Clemson up on its invitation and made the trip with his mother. Both prospect and parent left impressed with the visit.

“She enjoyed it just as much as I did,” Wilkins told The Clemson Insider.

Wilkins met and spoke with Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, defensive coordinator Brent Venables and area recruiter Tony Elliott.

The genuine vibe that Clemson’s staff gave off stood out to Wilkins.

“Just how real the coaches are,” he said, “and how much coach Dabo and coach Venables care about us academically.”

Wilkins is certainly intrigued by the Tigers, and vice versa.

Elliott stopped by Wilkins’ school on Tuesday morning to watch him work out.

“They are very interested,” Wilkins said.

Though Clemson hasn’t yet offered Wilkins, he said it is one of the schools standing out to him right now along with Alabama and Tennessee.

Wilkins hopes to have made his college decision by March. Should the Tigers extend an offer, they would figure to become a factor in his recruitment.

“It would mean a lot,” Wilkins said of a potential Clemson offer. “They are a top program in college football. They win academically and on the field.”