A key cog in Clemson’s National Championship run was most certainly its defense. That defensive unit ranked among the top 10 nationally in yards per game allowed (311.5) and in points per game allowed (18.0). Throughout the season the unit also accumulated a national best 130 tackles for loss and broke a school record in recording 49 sacks.
Playing at defensive end, Christian Wilkins’ dominate-on-the-field performance and vocal leadership made the junior the backbone of the defensive line. In 2016, Wilkins recorded 56 tackles at defensive end and racked up 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 of which were sacks.