Following last season’s Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama everybody thought Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins had played his final game in a Tiger uniform and would declare for the NFL Draft.
However, Wilkins announced on January 15th via social media he would return for his final year of eligibility along with his closest friends on the defensive line Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant.
This decision came as a shock to many but Wilkins is eager to put the final stamp on his Clemson career.
“I am excited to be back for my fourth and final year to finish this chapter of my life,” Wilkins said.
The All-American defensive tackle has recorded 195 tackles in his three-year Clemson career. In 2017 he racked up 55 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks after transitioning from end to tackle and looks to improve on those marks in 2018.
The Tigers returned all three draft-eligible defensive lineman who, in the minds of many, were prime draft prospects. The trio combined for 25 of 46 sacks and 45 of 109 team tackles for loss and give Clemson tremendous depth on the defensive front.
While the three players are close friends off the field, affectionately referred to as the “power rangers”, their decisions were not dependent on one another and were made individually.
“We each had our own decision to make and nobody made a decision because of anybody else,” Wilkins said. “It’s fun that we all decided to do the same thing and I’m looking forward to what is to come this year and finishing it outright.”
Wilkins was not 100-percent sure on his decision until the deadline to declare for the draft, after seeking counsel from various sources including family, other players and NFL minds to mull over the pros and cons of both options.
“There is a reason it took so long, anybody who knows me knows I am a big time thinker,” said Wilkins. “My gut feeling was saying to come back, I’m happy I decided to do so and I get one more ride.”
While the graduate defensive tackle has put together an outstanding career thus far he says he still has a lot to learn and is more focused than any other point in his Clemson career.
“There are a lot of intricacies to the position I need to pick up on, unfortunately I haven’t taken it as seriously as I should have,” Wilkins said. “Now I know exactly what my weaknesses are and I’m going to attack them while being the best leader I can be.”
He will certainly be the catalyst for Clemson’s success on a salty defensive front.
Wilkins didn’t jump the bait on whether he had unfinished business this season, but did say he wants to take a lead on Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow who holds a 6-0 lead in their “rock, paper, scissors” touchdown celebration.