Twitter reacts to Wilkins, Clemson D-line returning in 2018 |
Christian Wilkins joined Clemson D-line teammates
Austin Bryant and
Clelin Ferrell Monday as highly-prized future pro prospects returning for a run at a second national title.
The trio joins former five-star prospect Dexter Lawrence to complete a fearsome starting Clemson defensive front again for the 2018 campaign. Dabo Swinney's Tigers have made the College Football Playoff in each season the four have been on campus. The rising senior Wilkins is a two-time first-team All-American and the 2017 National Defensive Lineman of the Year, who was regarded as a top-10 prospect by multiple outlets. Ferrell was also regarded as a top-10 pick by ESPN after his 18 TFL and 9.5 sacks were among national leaders. Bryant was lauded as a top-4 defensive end prospect who could've gone in either of the first two rounds after a breakout 2017 campaign (15.5 TFL/8.5 sacks/INT). The returning D-line group is among eight total returning starters from a defense that ranked second in scoring defense (13.6), fourth in total defense (276.7), fourth in pass defense (161.9) and tied for first in sacks (46). Social media reacted with a mix of shock at the pro decisions and respect for what the group can do in 2018: Ferrell & Austin Bryant were the best bookend rushers in the country last year and both of them coming back almost doesn't seem legal. https://t.co/DuGjvpOdPz OH MY GOD https://t.co/6e7o6ATfkB Two Clemson defensive linemen who could have been first round picks this year are coming back. That... that doesn’t happen. Christian Wilkins back to Clemson for his senior year. Tigers will be No. 1 or 2 in the preseason. The rest of the ACC gotta be sickkkkk?? https://t.co/zoSKa5cQQn #CantWait #ALLin pic.twitter.com/pAvxWNNWrR Brent Venables predicting what Clemson will do to opposing offenses next season pic.twitter.com/v2PyolehkI Clemson's *entire* starting D-line is coming back: Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant and now Christian Wilkins are putting off the NFL draft to rejoin Dexter Lawrence in the trenches. pic.twitter.com/zK2IKZZIHT Let's check in on the rest of the ACC's offensive coordinators: pic.twitter.com/nEbjEbCI8Z Oh my gosh, the entire Clemson D-line is returning to school. https://t.co/k5q07z8MNX It’s about to go DOWN!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/qi0yBLvlZR Curious how many D-linemen #Clemson will have on its 2018 roster that end up as first-rounders. I predict it’s at least five. As a college football fan, I love that he went back. Wilkins was probably a guaranteed top 25 pick. Clemson is so loaded on defense. https://t.co/4YWLU5WUkj So Clemson has Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant returning, and they’re adding five-stars Xavier Thomas and KJ Henry, four-stars Justin Mascoll, Josh Belk and Darnell Jeffries in this class. That’s ridiculous. Every Clemson fan rn... #ALLIN ?? pic.twitter.com/ihYozwS0Ti Yeah sooooo #Clemson is definitely on a mission...Wilkins, Bryant, Ferrell all back...they must smell something in the water I’m sure a lot went into the decisions, but even on a particularly close team, no group is closer than Clemson’s D-line, and I think playing one more year together really meant something to them. ???? bout to be scary ! https://t.co/0Bup2xDhW8 Wilkins, Ferrell, Bryant and Hyatt! To use a broadcaster term Clemson goes for the “Cycle”. 99+42+7= My goodness. Wilkins back. https://t.co/FpTWRzRcKY Gracious. ???? #ALLIN ???? pic.twitter.com/dYEm9L5jwL This ain’t good for everyone in CFB. I think we can go ahead and pencil Clemson in the CFB playoff next year! Wow! https://t.co/WGfqlkZG2P
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB)
January 15, 2018
A LOT OF TACKLES FOR LOSS
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB)
January 15, 2018
They’re all comin’ back. https://t.co/YEJtQdmRpq
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