Former Clemson star Dexter Lawrence is in Orlando for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games.

The New York Giants defensive tackle spoke with the media before a Pro Bowl Games practice at Camping World Stadium on Friday and discussed “best friend” Christian Wilkins’ contract situation.

Last May, Lawrence signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the Giants including $60 million guaranteed.

Wilkins, meanwhile, played the 2023 season under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract after he and the Miami Dolphins couldn’t reach agreement on an extension before the season.

Regarding Wilkins and his contract, Lawrence had some advice for Wilkins, who could either be a free agent come March or be franchise tagged by the Dolphins.

“You know, sometimes you gotta control what you can control, man,” Lawrence said, via The Palm Beach Post. “It’s gonna come for him. He did his thing this year and I’m proud of him. That’s my dawg.”

Lawrence and Wilkins were teammates at Clemson from 2016-18.

Wilkins just had a career year in his fifth season with the Dolphins, tallying 65 total tackles (10 for loss), 23 quarterback hits, two passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries to go with nine sacks – double his previous career-high of 4.5 sacks in 2021.

Lawrence had another outstanding season in 2023 as well, earning his second straight Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors after racking up 21 quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two passes defended and 60-plus total pressures.

Lawrence poked some good-natured fun at Wilkins while joking about his two Pro Bowl selections and Wilkins having none to date.

“I’m whooping his (butt) right now,” Lawrence said. “I have two and he has zero.”

“This is gonna get him going,” Lawrence added. “Tell him stop letting Dexter beat your (butt) in Pro Bowl wins. That will get him going.”

Despite being bested by Lawrence in that regard, Wilkins has put together a Pro Bowl-caliber career so far, accumulating 355 tackles (43 for loss) and 20.5 sacks since he entered the league in 2019.

Lawrence has likewise been highly productive since entering the league in 2019 as well, amassing 266 tackles (28 for loss) and 21 sacks.

Lawrence was taken by the Giants in the first round (17th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, four picks after Wilkins was drafted by the Dolphins with the 13th overall selection that year.

Their former Clemson defensive line teammate, Clelin Ferrell, was the fourth overall pick by the Raiders the same year.

If you ask Lawrence, it goes without saying that Clemson is “D-Line U.”

“I think it speaks for itself,” he said. “Guys that keep producing in the league. I’m gonna’ try to keep it going.”

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