CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine:
Clemson's defensive line celebrates the National Championship

Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"


by - Senior Writer -

Christian Wilkins wants to leave Clemson better than he found it, and that means he had to raise his children the right way.

Wilkins departs Clemson with four ACC Championships, two National Championships, and enough personal honors to fill a large trophy case, but one of the things that gives him the most pride is his work with the younger players along Clemson’s defensive line.

His kids.

“Those are all my sons, all my children. I've done a great job of raising those kids,” Wilkins said. “I think Clemson's d-line is going to be in good hands for years to come. Not just because we older guys showed them the way, but because those young guys are special. And special not just in the football sense and their talent, but special because of who they are and the type of people they are and how they work and their mindsets. It's how they approach every day - I know they will be fine.”

Looking to earn their stripes in the spring will be players like Xavier Thomas, KJ Henry, Justin Mascoll, Darnell Jefferies, Xavier Kelly, Jordan Williams, Justin Foster, and others.

“They are young guys and they are still growing up and they are learning and they are working their way through things. But there is no doubt in my mind that Clemson will be fine,” Wilkins said. “I just love being around those guys. I appreciate the opportunity to get closer to them and learn a little bit about guys like KJ (Henry) and (Justin) Mascoll and Darnell (Jefferies) and XT (Xavier Thomas). It's been great to build a relationship with those guys because I wanna leave Clemson better than I found it and give them all my knowledge. There is no doubt that those guys will be able to carry on the tradition.”

A budding superstar is Thomas.

“Obviously, he has some natural, freakish ability to do things that most people can't do,” Wilkins said. “That has obviously been fun to watch. And he loves to compete. On game day he is 100 miles per hour, full speed ahead, no quit and no stop. So that has been fun to watch.”

Wilkins said he hopes the younger players learned their lessons well, including how to give tough love when it’s needed and how to have a little fun along the way.

“We always have a good time, never a dull moment. And it's all love, no matter how much we get on each other or talk trash, at the end of the day we know it's all love and in fun,” he said. “There is no one else I would rather do it with. Jordan gets it really bad. Just because he's Jordan. Might be Jordan but we all get on each other pretty good. No one is safe, and if you didn't know us and know we love each other, you would think we hated each other. But it's all in good fun and it's love.”

Who will be in the next wave of leaders?

“I don't know, but whoever it is I hope they take it and run with it,” he said. “There are multiple guys that could do it. KJ has that kind of outgoing personality, for sure, but I don't know who it will be because all of those guys have great leadership qualities and thing they bring to the table.”

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spacer TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
TigerNet News®
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Oculus
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ZeeGantt®
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
CarolinaKudzu
spacer Wilkins leaving :( :(
TigerCook®
spacer Re: Wilkins leaving :( :(
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer i had a coot fan tell me "can't till nov. when yall bring
sav82tiger
spacer Re: i had a coot fan tell me "can't till nov. when yall bring
dgcannon39
spacer Re: i had a coot fan tell me "can't till nov. when yall bring
bloodrunsorange63®
spacer They have no clue what’s going to happen......
72 Fla. Tiger
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
dgcannon39
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Calhoun2
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
natty®
spacer Re: TNET: ^^^^^^^^^^ ;-)
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer WHY. ARE. YOU. STILL. HERE!?
RU4GOD2
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
TigerLinks®
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AikenTiger1114
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
lhaselden
spacer I think Virginia ....
HopefulTiger®
spacer Dude... Give it up. You're frickin' clueless.***
SOLOS®
spacer We talk of “generational” talent at QB, but Wilkins is a
apextiger
spacer Agree 100%
Fluxus
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
Purple Gunstock 15®
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
8992Tiger
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
HugeBlue
spacer Why No Mention of Logan Rudolph?
svaughan
spacer Re: Why No Mention of Logan Rudolph?
Knuck®
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
jeancooper
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
TigerSurvivor®
spacer I doubt if UMass would have ever been able to keep him
Knuck®
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
CUAllTheWay
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer #### I’m gonna miss that guy***
tigerpathmd®
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rhettfla
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TigerGeof
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kerigantoo
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
rhettfla
spacer Don’t know about you, but that’s all I needed to hear.***
owensb01®
spacer Re: Don’t know about you, but that’s all I needed to hear.***
rhettfla
spacer Re: TNET: Wilkins says youth on DL will be fine: "I've done a great job of raising those kids"
Tigerluvr
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mpercy®