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College Football Week 3: NFL Draft big board rankings

By Nathaniel Reeves

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Defensiive End Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to make a tackle against Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Cimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Defensiive End Christian Wilkins #42 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to make a tackle against Quarterback Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Cimson Tide during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Clemson Tigers defeated The Alabama Crimson Tide 35 to 31. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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Christian Wilkins

DT, Clemson

With yet another dominant performance against a good team, Wilkins is well on his way to being one of the first defenders off the board in the 2018 NFL draft.

Clemson racked up an eye-popping 11 sacks in its 14-6 victory over Auburn, with Wilkins recording a pair himself. The junior was a force in the middle of the Clemson defensive line with 10 tackles, and could not be slowed by one of the nation’s most experienced offensive lines.

It’s hard to stand out on the NFL talent factory that Dabo Swinney puts together annually but Wilkins has managed to do so over the past two years and stands out as Clemson’s best prospect. Following a promising freshman season, Wilkins piled up 13.5 tackles for loss and nine passes defended, and was a handful for even the mighty Alabama offensive line to deal with.

Wilkins is impressively agile at 6-4, 310 pounds, making him a force in both run defense as a 3-technique and pass rush as a stand-up defensive end. Prospective NFL teams will be able to use Wilkins either in a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment, and many will likely compare him to first round pick Jonathan Allen, only with another 20-plus pounds on his frame.

Clemson’s defensive line will face another challenge next week with a trip to Louisville to take on Lamar Jackson.

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