Former Clemson star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is getting paid in a major way. Wilkins has signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a report from Ian Rapoport.
The former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins spent five seasons in Miami but will now be joining another AFC team.
Last season, Christian Wilkins started all 17 games for the Dolphins, finishing with 27 tackles and 9 sacks.
Wilkins and Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby should provide quite the tandem on the defensive front for Las Vegas. Crosby was named a second-team All-Pro last season after recording 14.5 sacks.
The Raiders are coming off of an 8-9 season in 2023. Las Vegas went 5-4 under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who has since been named the full-time head coach.
Christian Wilkins is set to be reunited with former Clemson teammate Hunter Renfrow in Las Vegas.
Renfrow and Wilkins have been close for years, dating back to their time together as Tigers. Renfrow was drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 draft by the Raiders. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021.
Christian Wilkins spent four seasons at Clemson, prior to going to the NFL. He was immediately a big-time contributor for the Tigers, helping Clemson reach the national championship game as a freshman in 2015. He recorded 33 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss that season while playing in all 15 games.
Wilkins saw his role increase in 2016, starting all 15 games for the Tigers. He recorded 48 tackles and 13 tackles for loss that season, helping Clemson to the national championship.
In 2017, as a junior, Wilkins had 60 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, while starting all 14 games. He considered turning pro after his junior year but instead opted to return for one more season.
That paid off as Wilkins and the Tigers won their second national title in three years in 2018, dominating Alabama in the national championship game. He had 50 tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a senior.
After being drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, Wilkins quickly proved that he could play at the next level. The Massachusetts native has recorded 43-plus tackles in each of his five NFL seasons. That includes his 2023 season when he finished with a career high 9 sacks. Losing Wilkins is a tough blow for the Dolphins but is obviously a big boost for the Raiders.
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