Clemson Tigers

Clemson's Heisman Duo?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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How cool is Deshaun Watson? He’s poised, cool, calm and collected under all circumstances. He doesn’t get rattled and he’s Mr. Clutch. For instance, in overtime versus NC State, a bad snap gets fumbled and bobbled and he has to scramble to fall on the live ball. The very next play he connects with Artavis Scott on what ended up being the game winner. Watson didn’t let the previous play shake him or alter is mind set at all. Very few people can have that peace in the midst of a storm mentality. Clemson would more than likely have a couple of losses if not for the play of DW4. However, there is another player on this team that should be receiving some national attention, even Heisman consideration in my opinion. And that player is Christian Wilkins.

Christian Wilkins is a mammoth of a man, with a bubbly personality. He’s the guy you’d be friends with in everyday life, and the guy you’d be terrified of on the football field. The thing that you

Sep 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (42) tackles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

notice is his size. At 6’4″ 310lbs, he’s not easy to miss. What sets the big man apart and truly makes him special, other than his personality, is his speed. He can run with the linebackers and running backs. He’s as fast as men half his size. That is a rare and uncommon commodity in football and one of the reasons he was highly sought after while in high school. Clemson knew he was big and talented while recruiting him, but I’m not sure anyone knew just how versatile and valuable Wilkins would be to this football team.

In fall camp, starting defensive end Austin Bryant goes down with a foot injury. Under normal circumstances that would be an area of concern, but Coach Venables and staff didn’t bat an eye when sliding Wilkins over from his normal defensive tackle spot to defensive end. Wilkins, about 60lbs heavier than your normal sized defensive ends, has looked this season as if he’s played the position all of his life. His numbers through seven games are good enough for an entire seasons worth of stats for some regular defensive ends.

Wilkins has 31 tackles – 8.5 TFL (tackles for loss) – 3 sacks – 4 PBU (passes broken up) – 1 Blocked Kick and the real interesting stats: 1 rush for 10 yards and 1 reception for 3 yards and a receiving touchdown. Remember when Ndamukong Suh was a Heisman finalist in 2009, he too is 6’4″ 310lbs. He played for Nebraska and got invited to New York with very similar stats. However, Wilkins is really not getting the same amount of publicity, yet he’s even more versatile than Suh was for the Cornhuskers.

The Clemson defense is giving up just 15.3 points per game so far this season. That’s a full touchdown better, so far, than the defense that played in the National Championship game just a year ago. Wilkins is the catalyst, he might just be a sophomore, but he and Ben Boulware are the unquestioned leaders of this defense. They say defense wins championships. I like our chances with these guys.

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