Christian Wilkins – April 25, 2019 (Round 1)
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Thursday, April 25, 2019
DT Christian Wilkins
(How are you doing?) – “I’m doing awesome. I can’t wait to get down there.”
(Is Commissioner Roger Goodell still hurting from that hug?) – “I think so. I had to beat him up a little bit. I was too excited. (laughter) This is awesome. This is big.”
(You get to re-unite with your old coach – Defensive Line Coach Marion Hobby. What does that mean to you?) – “Oh, gosh. I forgot about that. Thanks for reminding me. I’m not looking forward to that. No, I’m just teasing. (laughter) Hobby was a big part of my development as a player at Clemson. I’m just excited because I worked with him closely for really only one year, when I played defensive end my sophomore year. And now knowing that he’s the defensive line coach and that I’ll be able to work with him for a long while, it’s going to be great because I know he’s going to get me to become the player that I need to be. He’s going to get the best out of me and I’m going to get the best out of him, for sure.”
(With all of the Clemson players drafted in the top 17 picks, did you all have some type of competition?) – “Of course we did. We had a little friendly wager. We put a meal on it. Whoever got drafted before each guy, we each put a meal on it. So I’ve got to buy Clelin (Ferrell) a meal, Dexter (Lawrence) has to buy me one. It’s looking like Austin (Bryant) is going to have buy Dexter one or whatever, so that’s what we did. I like steak, so I’m about to hurt ‘Big Dex’s’ pocket. (laughter)”
(General Manager Chris Grier told us that you told him it was the best decision he ever made.) – “The best decision.”
(Why did you say that?) – “Because just of what I can do for the culture and for the organization. They’re not just getting a guy on the field who is going to do his best as a player and be disruptive and do the things I need to do on the field, but I’m the kind of guy you want in your organization just to make it a better place, to be playing winning football and play at the highest level. I’m determined to do that. I’m so excited and so fortunate just to be a part of this organization.”
(How much time did you spend with the Dolphins during the process and what indication did you have they would draft you?) – “I met with the Dolphins at the Combine and then I met with them again at Pro Day. I didn’t know if this was going to happen or not. I’m still surprised, especially because I know (Marion) Hobby didn’t like me that much when he was at Clemson. (laughter) No, this is definitely awesome. I’m excited for my opportunity. I’m just truly blessed.”
(Have you met Head Coach Brian Flores and what are your impressions of him?) – “I have not met Brian Flores but I know a little bit about him because I’m from Massachusetts and he obviously was a coach with the Patriots and everything. I just know a little bit about him and just kind of his history a little bit and everything like that.”
(How much do you know about the Dolphins and the state of the franchise?) – “Well I definitely know about the history and guys like Dan Marino, great players like that – Jason Taylor was a great defensive player – who put on that uniform and everything. I just want to work hard so I can get to that point to where I can be considered great like those guys. But that doesn’t just happen. I’m coming in humble, ready to work and ready to learn from all of the vets around me. I’m just ready to make the organization better.”
(How do you feel about Miami as a city?) – “It’s awesome. You may not know this or not but I just had a Wall Street Journal article come out about me being the most frugal guy in this draft, and I know I have no state income taxes, so I’m excited about that! (laughter) I’m looking forward to that. Miami is about to be a great spot. You all just lost D-Wade (Dwyane Wade) too, so Miami is going to need somebody to kind of help fill that void. So hopefully I can work into that role and Miami will love me like they love D-Wade or something.”
(We heard you on the broadcast that you wore the number 42 because of your grandfather. What did that mean to you and what did that event mean to you?) – “My grandfather meant everything to me. He was the most influential person in my life. I grew up in a house really without my dad around, so whenever I saw my grandfather, he was that positive influence that I looked to just to learn a lot from. He just was so special to me. I’m not going to be able to wear 42 anymore, unfortunately, (due to NFL rules), but I’ll find a way to honor him just throughout my personality and through the way I carry myself each and every day. People in Miami will definitely be able to see who my grandfather was through me, because I’m his legacy and they’re going to get a feel for who I am very quickly.”
(There’s a lot of talk about culture down here. At Clemson, you guys have evolved that culture to national championships. How do you change the culture of an organization?) – “Really, just by doing the little things right. It starts with the little things and those turn into big things. You aren’t going to be able to change the culture overnight. I’m just glad I’m going to be able to be a part of that. I feel like that’s why it was a good move to get me, just because I can help do that. I just feel like … First of all, it starts with buy-in, believing in a system and really just believing in the installation of the organization as well, too. Just believing what the coaches say, buying into that and everybody has to be together.”
(In what way do you believe you can impact an opposing offense in the National Football League?) – “Really just continue to do what I’ve done all of my entire career. Just support the offense as much as I can. When they score a touchdown, I hope that I’m on the field goal unit so I can run into the end zones and celebrate with those guys, just to support them and show that I’m happy for them. Also, just things like being the best guy I can every day in practice and bringing my all each and every day, because iron sharpens iron and I’m a firm believer of that. If I’m doing my job each and every day on that practice field, then the guys around me and on the opposite side of the ball are going to get better as well.”
(QB Dwayne Haskins was still available when you got picked by Miami. You know he’s highly regarded. Miami needed a quarterback. Are you surprised they took you ahead of a quarterback?) – “I really don’t have an opinion on that. I’m just blessed to be in this situation. I’m just so honored and so blessed just that Miami came and got me. Dwayne’s a great player too. Me and him are actually pretty close and everything. I’m happy he just got picked up and went to the team where he needed to be. I’m definitely just excited to be a part of the Dolphins franchise and get this thing going.”
(What is it about you that makes you so comfortable in your own skin as you show us your personality here?) – “That’s just the biggest thing. I’ve just always had a lot of confidence. Again, that still comes from my grandfather a little bit. He was more than comfortable in his skin. I’m just taking that to another level. No one else is going to be the best me than me. I don’t want to be anybody else. I just want to be who I am in my goal and in life. I feel like I was put on this Earth just to serve and make others around me better. That’s what I try to do each and every day with just my energy, just with who I am … I just caught a glimpse of my ring – that’s the natty (national championship) ring – 15-0 right there, the best ever – sorry … Just with who I am and everything, that’s just my mindset. Just make everyone around me better. Why doubt? Why not have confidence? Just be comfortable in your own skin. No one else can be a better you than you.”
(What did Commissioner Roger Goodell say to you after you nearly bowled him over there?) – “(laughter) He wasn’t too upset about it or anything. He just continued to talk to me, said if I need anything that he’s there for me, just wishing me good luck. I’m surprised he didn’t hit (me) back or anything like that because I did get him kind of hard. My shoulder is actually kind of hurting a little bit from how hard I bumped him. (laughter) I was just so excited.”
(Did you graduate in two-and a-half years? Did you get your degree and if so, how did you do that?) – “I did. I graduated in two-and a-half years just by a lot of hard work, really, and just being disciplined and being consistent. It sounds crazy that I did that, but it’s really just all about being consistent. Anything in life is really just about doing the little things right and being consistent and staying true to what you believe in. That’s what I did when it came to my academics. I knew last year as a junior, I know the big thing is after three years, a lot of guys leave and go to the NFL. I knew I didn’t want to go to the NFL without my college degree. I came back actually for my senior year. It turns out I got a two-for-one and was able to get two degrees in the span of three-and a-half years. It’s awesome. I’m 23 with a Master’s degree. That sounds like a Drake line or something, but it’s definitely awesome. (laughter)”
(How much did your character away from the field do you believe put you in this opportunity right now?) – “It’s something we talk about at Clemson a lot of the time and it’s very cliché, but it’s always that thing. I think it’s a quote by George Washington Carver, just ‘You do the common things in an uncommon way and you command attention of the world.’ I don’t look to be recognized for all of the little things I do and all the good things I do. I don’t look for attention but people take note. That’s ultimately what I’m getting at is people just watch everything you do. I feel like no matter what I do, I just try to set the tone and always be the example. People see that and it’s infectious and it rubs off on people, for sure.”
(It had been speculated that the Dolphins are going to be running a hybrid defense this upcoming year. Where do you think you would be best suited at for your skillset?) – “Luckily for me, while my time at Clemson, I played in a lot of different schemes defensively. We played in a 3-4 – just three down linemen – (and a) 4-3. We were very multiple with our defense, so I was able to play all over the place – play some end, play some five (technique), play some three technique, play some one (technique). I was fortunate to play all over the place. I just feel like wherever I’m asked to play, I’m just going to be the best that I can be. I feel like I can play just because of my experience at Clemson and playing at such a high level against high level competition – playing everywhere – I suit well for the defense.”
(What do you remember about the Orange Bowl game you played in at Hard Rock Stadium?) – “Of course. The Orange Bowl. 32 yards up the left sideline. A big boy for the big catch on the fake punt. I remember that and it’s going to be cool. I’m coming back. Every time I was in that stadium, something good happens. I’ve got eight chances a year to do something good in that stadium, so let’s do it.”
(We know in college, it was you guys and Alabama that dominated the scene those last four years. Now you’re going to be joining a former Alabama defensive star in S Minkah Fitzpatrick here. How much are you looking forward to that?) – “That’s right. I didn’t think about that. I think that’s awesome because I feel like Minkah was one of the best college football players I’ve ever really seen. I thought he was such a great talent and it was so awesome. Every time I’m playing him, I’m just like ‘Man, that guy is something else.’ Just watching him play and the way he carries himself, he’s big in his faith, he’s big in faith and football. That’s what he cares about and that’s kind of what I take note on. He’s always a guy watching the film and just so dedicated to football, so I’m sure he’ll be a guy I’m always around.”
