Christian Wilkins is an American professional football defensive tackle born on December 20, 1995, in Springfield, Massachusetts. A standout at Clemson University, he earned two-time All-American honors, amassed 40.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over his college career, and was named the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy winner, known as the "Academic Heisman," for his excellence in academics and athletics. Wilkins completed a bachelor's degree in communications in two and a half years with a 3.33 GPA and later a master's in athletic leadership, becoming the first scholarship player in Clemson history to graduate so quickly. As a two-year captain, he anchored one of college football's most dominant defensive lines alongside Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell, helping Clemson secure national championships in 2016 and 2018, three title game appearances, and four straight College Football Playoff semifinals while leading the nation in scoring defense during his senior year.[1][2][6] Selected 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 2019 NFL Draft, Wilkins spent five seasons there, starting for three years and recording career highs of nine sacks and 23 quarterback hits in 2023. Notable plays include strip-sacks against the Buffalo Bills and team efforts with Bradley Chubb forcing fumbles versus the Jets and Giants.[3][5] In 2024 free agency, he signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, their first major move to bolster a defense that excelled late in 2023.[1][3] At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, the 28-year-old Wilkins, one of 15 active NFL players from Massachusetts and the youngest of nine siblings, remains a high-impact lineman. However, as of early 2026, the Raiders are releasing him amid a dispute over surgery for an injured foot.[3] An avid volunteer, he has hosted youth clinics and worked with Habitat for Humanity, embodying Clemson's "Culture of Care." [1][2] (298 words)