Best Clemson football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

When you look at the record books, you’re likely not going to find Christian Wilkins‘ name plastered all over them. The defensive tackle was never the most productive player in college football — or even Clemson football for that matter — when it comes to the box score. However, no one will be caught arguing his place among the top-four players in Clemson football history.

To be sure, Wilkins wasn’t just a warm body out on the field. From the moment that he arrived and donned the orange, white and purple, he was a presence on the defense. He registered 33 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks a freshman but really broke out as a sophomore. In his second season, Wilkins had 48 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks along with a receiving touchdown as a trick-play specialist.

Not to be done there, Wilkins then had 60 tackles as a junior in 2017 with nine tackles for loss and five sacks. Expected to be a top-50 pick in the NFL Draft, Wilkins still decided to return to Clemson for one more year and lived up to the hype. Helping lead the Tigers to a National Championship, the second title of his career, Wilkins has 51 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and even two rushing touchdowns.

Wilkins may not be a record-holder for the Clemson football but he was an undeniable leader for the Tigers from start-to-finish in his college career. He was an unforgettable star that spearheaded a period of tremendous success in Death Valley.