NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Communication Studies – 3.33 GPA
Head Coach: Dabo Swinney | Athletics Director: Dan Radakovich
Faculty Athletics Representative: Janie Hodge
A two-time First Team All-American, Christian Wilkins also earned Academic All-ACC honors while guiding Clemson to its first national championship in 35 years. The Springfield, Massachusetts, native becomes the Tigers’ fourth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
After graduating in December 2017 with a degree in communication studies, Wilkins became the first scholarship player in Clemson football history to finish school in two and a half years. He will graduate this December with a master’s in athletic leadership. In addition to being a three-time All-ACC Academic Team member, he twice received First Team Academic All-District honors.
A two-year team captain, Wilkins has guided Clemson to a perfect 11-0 record (8-0 in conference), the No. 2 national ranking and the ACC Atlantic Division title in 2018. A finalist for the 2018 Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy, he has amassed 39 tackles on the season, including 12 tackles for loss. The standout defensive lineman is a quarterfinalist for the 2018 Lott IMPACT Trophy and also has four sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery to his name.
Wilkins leads a Clemson unit that tops the ACC and the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to 12.1 points per game. The Tigers lead the ACC and rank second in the nation in total defense, limiting offenses to 254.4 yards per game. Clemson's rushing defense is also atop the ACC, limiting opposing teams to 84.3 yards per game on the ground, which is the third best average in the nation.
On Oct. 27, he recorded the first rushing touchdown of his career on a one-yard run against Florida State. Following a 27-7 win at Boston College on Nov. 10, Wilkins was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after playing a key role as the Tigers secured their fourth straight ACC Atlantic Division title. He posted five tackles in the game, including one for loss, as part of a defensive line that limited Boston College to only nine rushing yards. On Nov. 17, he broke the school record for career starts by a defensive tackle.
A three-year letterman, Wilkins made an immediate impact at Clemson, earning 2015 First Team Freshman All-America honors. A two-time All-ACC selection, he earned first-team honors in 2017 and second team laurels in 2016. A finalist for the 2016 Nagurski Award, Wilkins was named the 2017 Willis Award recipient as the National Defensive Lineman of the Year by the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club. Wilkins guided the Tigers to the 2016 national title, two College Football Playoff National Championship game appearances and three consecutive trips to the CFP Semifinals. In addition to winning three consecutive ACC titles, Wilkins helped Clemson finish the last three seasons ranked No. 2 (2015), No.1 (2016) and No. 4 (2017).
Making a difference off the field, Wilkins became a certified substitute teacher during the 2018 offseason, indicating that he wanted to provide inspiration and guidance to K-12 students. An avid volunteer, Wilkins has worked with Habitat for Humanity, the Clemson Miracle Fundraiser, Colleges Against Cancer Relay for Life and the “Kicks, Cleats, Kids” initiative. He has also taken part in the Taylor Elementary Visionary Leaders program.
