Wilkins

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Tue Jan 06 10:54:43 GMT-04:00 2015

Wilkins

Yesterday was a huge day in Clemson football recruiting when the Tigers' staff received word they secured a commitment from four-star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins Christian Wilkins
Defensive Tackle
6-4, 290
Suffield, CT
ESPN:
View Full Profile of Suffield, CT. Wilkins is currently ranked 58th in the country by rivals.com but could move up in the next rankings based upon how well he performed all week at the Under Armour All-American game in Florida last week.

Wilkins was the number one defensive tackle on Clemson's board. The staff viewed him as a true difference maker. They think he is a player that can command double teams and make life easier on linebackers. They feel he is athletic enough to create a pass rush from the interior and his presence helps defensive ends in the pass rush. This kind of pass rush obviously helps out the secondary.

Dan BrooksDan Brooks
Assoc. Head Coach / Def. Tackles
View Full Profile is one of the top defensive line coaches in the country. He coached players like John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth at Tennessee. Brooks was a major part in the development of perhaps the nation's top defensive line this year at Clemson, but Brooks hasn't had this kind of raw talent at Clemson. Grady Jarrett is one of the best defensive tackles to ever play at Clemson, but Jarrett does it with a high motor in a short frame. Wilkins is a legit 6-4 and looks great in his frame. This is Chester McGlockton-type potential.

Wilkins could allow Albert Huggins Albert Huggins
Defensive End
6-3, 280
Orangeburg, SC
ESPN:
View Full Profile to stay outside and help the defensive end depth for next season. In the long term, Wilkins and Huggins could have the kind of impact Jarrett, DeShawn Williams, Josh Watson, D.J. Reader, Carlos Watkins and Scott Pagano have had. They arrive at Clemson with a higher ranking entering school.

The commitment was big for several reasons. First, it was an area of need. The staff has to replace Jarrett, Williams and Watson at defensive tackle but feels good about what comes back. They feel comfortable with Reader, Watkins and Pagano, but a player like Wilkins can come in and compete right away for a spot on the two deep.

It also shows the recruiting power of this program. Clemson went into the Northeast and got the best player in the region away from Ohio State, Penn State and Boston College.

From a rankings standpoint it moved the Tigers into fourth in the current recruiting rankings according to rivals.com. Clemson trails only Alabama, Florida State and Southern Cal at this point.

In rivals.com's top 250 list there are 34 defensive linemen that are currently committed. Arkansas, Mississippi State, Penn State, LSU, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Michigan State, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Southern Cal, Oregon, Texas Tech, North Carolina and NC State have one committed defensive linemen ranked in the top 250. Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida State have two defensive line commitments ranked in the top 250. Clemson and Tennessee have four while Georgia has five.

The Tigers have 22 commitments at this time and could get a 23rd from four star cornerback Mark Fields Mark Fields
Cornerback
5-10, 185
Charlotte,
ESPN:
View Full Profile of Charlotte, NC. If Fields selects the Tigers, it would give Clemson a top ten player at his position at every position except running back in this class according to rivals.com.

Kelly Bryant Kelly Bryant
Quarterback
6-4, 205
Piedmont, SC
ESPN:
View Full Profile is the eighth ranked dual threat quarterback in the country. Deon Cain Deon Cain
Wide Receiver
6-2, 200
Tampa, FL
ESPN:
View Full Profile is ranked fifth at wide receiver. Garrett Williams Garrett Williams
Tight End
6-4, 215
Orlando, FL
ESPN:
View Full Profile is the fourth ranked tight end. Mitch Hyatt Mitch Hyatt
Offensive Tackle
6-6, 270
Suwannee, GA
ESPN:
View Full Profile is number two and Jake Fruhmorgen Jake Fruhmorgen
Offensive Tackle
6-5, 280
Tampa, FL
ESPN:
View Full Profile is number ten in terms of offensive tackles. Clelin Ferrell Clelin Ferrell
Defensive End
6-5, 220
Richmond, VA
ESPN:
View Full Profile is ranked fourth at weak side defensive end, while Albert Huggins is number six and Austin Bryant Austin Bryant
Defensive End
6-5, 245
Thomasville, GA
ESPN:
View Full Profile is number ten at strong side defensive end. Wilkins is the number eight defensive tackle. Chad Smith Chad Smith
Outside Linebacker
6-4, 215
Sterling, VA
ESPN:
View Full Profile is the number six outside linebacker. Fields is the number ten cornerback and Ray Ray McCloud Ray Ray McCloud
Wide Receiver
5-10, 170
Tampa, FL
ESPN:
View Full Profile is the number two athlete.

Balance and depth is important in recruiting and I think it says a lot about the Tigers potentially having 13 of its commitments ranked in the top ten at ten different positions according to rivals.com

This class has a chance to finish in the top five according to rivals and will almost certainly be a top ten class. There is a chance this class could be the best in school history.

Maybe Jeff ScottJeff Scott
Asst. Coach (WR) / Recruiting Coord.
View Full Profile and Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile were right when they said the best is yet to come. It certainly looks that way in recruiting.

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