Clemson Football: Former HS Coach talks in-depth about Christian Wilkins

Clemson football defensive tackle Christian Wilkins made a tough decision after a tough loss but it was nothing to him, because he had seen tougher days. With those days in the rear view mirror, he is headed to the NFL.

When Clemson suffered the disappointing 24-6 loss to Alabama in the 2017 Sugar Bowl, junior defensive tackle Christian Wilkins was devastated and faced a life changing decision.

Should he return to school or forego his senior year to turn pro and sign for millions?

After days of mulling over his future, on Jan. 15, 2018, he announced his intention to return to Clemson and join his defensive line brothers Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, who made their decisions two days earlier on Jan. 13. With underclassman Dexter Lawrence, the trio, collectively, known as the Power Rangers, gave Clemson the best defensive front in the country and the college football world knew it.

Wilkins, Ferrell and Bryant, unitedly, returned to add to their legacy and complete one more mission-win another national championship.

The mission was complete on Jan. 7, with the national championship 44-16 win over No. 1 Alabama, the team they privately wanted another shot at, anyway. Not only did they complete the mission, but the team finished with a CFP record 15-0 mark and is among the best teams in college football history.

For Wilkins, personally, he made up for the Sugar Bowl loss and once again made his late grandfather Eurie Stamps, Sr proud of him. Stamps who was accidentally shot and killed by an officer on Jan. 5, 2011, remains an inspirational presence in Wilkins life. Four years ago, he signed with Clemson, specifically, on Jan. 5 and picked the number 42, in remembrance of Stamps who was born in 1942.

Before the national championships, the Power Rangers’ morphins, the All American awards, the William V. Campbell academic trophy, Wilkins won championships and was highly personable at Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT.

Suffield Academy head football coach Drew Gamere recently talked to us about his former standout.

Q: After beating Alabama on Jan. 7 for a second time and winning a second national title, Wilkins was overcome by emotion. What do you think brought out such raw emotion or as he described it, an “ugly cry?”

A: To me, it didn’t surprise me, because I knew how much it meant to him. He worked so hard and every decision that he makes is really thought out. That’s what he did with the decision to go back. He really thought it out and it was all about that moment. Relationships are very important to him and for him to experience everything with his coaches, teammates and fans-that’s what it was all about too. And, of course, his family. It’s well documented how much his grandfather meant to him. I think he and the rest of the family were a big part of the moment as well.

Q: I know Wilkins transferred to Suffield from Framingham High School, and you coached him for four years. What were your initial impressions of him?

A: The first impression was his size. He’s big. I really didn’t know of him at first because he was brought over by his godmother. But I started paying attention soon enough. He didn’t really look like a freshman. He also made a great impression with his personality and qualities. At the time, he was going through a transition in his life. We were fortunate that things worked out here at Suffield.

Q: How much were you involved in his college decision and what made Clemson the best fit for him? 

A: Yeah, I was as close as anyone in the process. But Christian’s an independent thinker and has a lot of maturity, even at that point, for someone his age. He really owned the process. I think his family probably had a little influence too. He had a vision of what he wanted. I think Clemson was a place that he could excel in football, and he was looking for a community. He was also looking for a place that he could build a relationship and be special on and off the field.

Christian made that decision on his own. He was different about the process of choosing a school. Some guys are all about “me.” He drove the recruiting services crazy, because he literally didn’t even want to do interviews. I admired that. He’s outgoing in an appropriate way and you guys have seen it. But he will always stay humble and that’s a testament to him.

Q: What did you like about Clemson? 

A: A lot of it had to do with the tremendous coaches and staff. Coach Swinney was up here once, and Coach Venables was up here all the time. They did a terrific job and obviously, they are outstanding coaches and people. So that was my impression, just from that. Looking back, he made a great decision.

Q: Wilkins had a very successful college career evidenced by multiple All-American awards, the Campbell Trophy, etc. I know you imagined him doing well but did he surprise you at all?

A: Not really, he was special to me as a coach from the beginning. I saw him over the course of four years. He loved being coached from a freshman to a senior and soaked it up. With Clemson, he just continued to evolve, mature and grow. He’s a special human being across the board. In terms of the next level, the best is yet to come for him. He will take advantage of that and what he does in life overall.

Q: How often do you talk to him and what are those conversations like these days? 

A: We stay connected. He stays connected with everything here at Suffield. We talk every couple weeks and months. Our conversations are about catching up and seeing how each other are doing. He knows that I’m here and vice versa. It’s important for me to make sure that he’s having fun and enjoying life. And that’s how I always end things with him. Before the NFL Combine, I said, do you feel any pressure from this? He said, nah, not really, because I feel like I know who I am. I said well, good, because you just have to keep having fun and soak up every bit of it. So we do keep in touch, and I enjoy that about our relationship.

Q: Is there an NFL team that you would like to see draft him? 

A: Well, I’m a New England guy. I think that would be unfair if New England got him. I don’t know if they will get that chance unless they make some moves. I do know this. I will be rooting for one other team, if it isn’t the Patriots.

Q: Let’s say, I’m an NFL owner or GM, and I’m strongly interested in drafting Wilkins. What will I get by drafting him?

A: Well, the first thing I would say is that he’s a winner. If you want to win, then he’s your guy. We won four championships here, and he goes to Clemson and wins 2 in 4 years. Obviously, with help from teammates and coaching, but that guys going to win and be successful. And other than that you’re getting a tremendous versatile athlete. He moves so well for his size. He can play inside and stand outside. The last piece is you’re getting a terrific person and human being. That along with talent can drive your locker room and culture, and he knows those things and buys into them.

Q: Clemson fans will miss Wilkins’ play on Saturday’s and one thing unique to him, his enthusiastic jaunts to the end zone after every teammate’s touchdown. I don’t think anyone else does it in college football. Was this done at Suffield too?

A: He has always been completely supportive of his teammates. When he was at Suffield, he would be the first person in the end zone. In fact, he was in the end zone a couple of times because as a sophomore he played tight end. I know he would still love to be doing that.

To finish the point, in a sense, he’s a throwback because the game is still fun and the fun part is his team having success. I think he also understands that celebrating with his teammates is important, and he feeds off of the energy.