After spending the first five years of his pro career with the Miami Dolphins, Christian Wilkins is enjoying his new NFL home.
Of course, Wilkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason on a four-year, $110 million free agent deal, and the former Clemson star defensive lineman is loving life in Vegas so far.
“I’m excited to be in Vegas,” Wilkins said recently during the Raiders’ 2024 Media Day . “Great city, obviously… It’s different for me. I’m an East Coast guy through and through. I’ve been on the East Coast my whole life, so it’s nice to be out here, change of scenery. So, I’m just looking forward to it. I love Vegas so far. It’s been good getting adjusted and accommodated the last couple months.”
A first-round pick (13th overall) of the Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft, Wilkins has played in 81 career games and made 77 starts while racking up 353 tackles (202 solo), 20.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss in his pro career to date.
The 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive tackle stands out on Sundays, not only with his physical prowess, athleticism and playmaking ability, but also because he plays with plenty of flair, energy and passion for the game.
Wilkins simply has fun playing football, and the 28-year-old explained where his love of the game comes from, saying it makes him feel like a kid again when he’s on the field.
“Just been that way my whole life. I just love competing,” he said. “I come from a big family with eight brothers and sisters, so you always had to compete. I’m the baby, too. So, I definitely give a lot of love to my siblings for my upbringing and just who I am. But just even as a kid competing at the local parks against other kids and against the neighborhood kids, there’s a certain edge you’ve got to play with.
“It’s always just fun for me. I love this football stuff, and every time I play, it’s like I’m just that kid on the playground or that kid in the park. And obviously, there’s higher stakes now and stuff, just obviously being your profession and your livelihood. But it brings me so much joy. I really don’t like to do much else. It’s pretty much football all day nonstop for me. This is what I’m about and this is what I’m trying to be great at.”
Last season, Wilkins started in all 17 games and finished with 63 tackles (36 solo), 10 tackles for loss and a career-high 9.0 sacks, which ranked fifth in the NFL among defensive tackles.
Wilkins’ 353 career tackles since entering the league are the most among all defensive linemen over that span and the second most in NFL history among defensive linemen in their first five NFL seasons.
A two-time team captain in Miami, Wilkins had a message for Raiders fans as he heads into his first season with his new team.
“I’m excited to be a part of Raider Nation,” he said. “I hope that you guys will welcome me with open arms, and I hope I can put a good product out there each and every week. So, let’s go Raiders, baby.”
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
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