With a couple of committed safeties already on board, Clemson didn’t know if it would take a third player at that position in the 2024 recruiting class.

But with Andrew Mukuba departing from the team via the transfer portal, Dabo Swinney and the Tigers ultimately decided to go after another safety, and they ended up bringing in one they’re really high on in Joe Wilkinson.

“Honestly, we weren’t sure we were going to take another safety, and we felt really good about where we were,” Swinney said. “And with one of our players moving on, we said, you know what, maybe we take the best guy out there.”

Clemson felt the best guy was Wilkinson, who hails from a prominent Rome (Ga.) High School program that he helped to three straight region championships from 2021-23 and a 23-4 record over his final two seasons.

A two-time all-region honoree, Wilkinson was named the 2023 Region 6-AAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior this season. He becomes Clemson’s second signee from Rome in a two-year cycle, joining 2023 defensive tackle signee Stephiylan Green.

“We’ve had a chance to watch this kid for the last two years,” Swinney said of Wilkinson. “Obviously recruiting Stephiylan, we’ve spent a lot of time down there in Rome. Coach (John) Reid, this is as good of football as there is in the state of Georgia. I mean this is a tough place, and this kid’s the player of the year. All you gotta do is watch his tape, and it’s easy to see why we like him.”

Wilkinson, who transitioned from cornerback to safety after his sophomore season, finished his productive prep career credited with 171 total tackles (118 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss, six interceptions, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two defensive touchdowns and two blocked punts.

As a senior, the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder posted 98 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble along with those three fumble recoveries and two defensive scores.

Wilkinson flipped his commitment to Clemson on Dec. 19, one day before the early signing period, after initially committing to Appalachian State this past April.

He’s one of the midyear enrollees who has participated in Gator Bowl practices with the Tigers this week, as has fellow safety signee Ricardo Jones. Like Jones, Swinney described Wilkinson as a “tough” player who “will flat out bring the wood” as a hard-hitting defender.

Offensive players would be wise to have their head on a swivel, Swinney says, and know where Wilkinson is at on the field.

“This guy can flat out play the game of football,” Swinney said. “He’s always available. He’s got great special teams impact, impactful plays as well. But he’ll be a fun guy to watch develop, and just really glad it worked out.”

To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100.  These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams.  Get one while supplies last.