Two former Clemson football standouts have earned national recognition for their dominance at the professional level, securing spots on CBS Sports’ prestigious list of the top 100 players in the NFL. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and quarterback Deshaun Watson—each a key figure in Clemson’s rise to national prominence under head coach Dabo Swinney—were named among the league’s elite, a testament to both their collegiate legacy and their continued impact on the game at the highest level.
Christian Wilkins, now with the Las Vegas Raiders, cracked the list after a breakout 2023 campaign with the Miami Dolphins, during which he recorded a career-high in sacks and tackles for loss. His efforts not only solidified his reputation as one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the NFL, but also earned him a massive payday in free agency, as the Raiders made him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in football. Wilkins’ ascent has been steady since being selected 13th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, but it was last season when he truly cemented himself as an elite force. Known for his blend of athleticism, intelligence, and relentless energy, Wilkins has become a tone-setter for any defense he anchors.
What separates Wilkins from many of his peers isn’t just his statistical production—it’s the versatility and leadership he brings to the table. At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, he’s more than a gap-stuffer. He’s a pass-rusher, a run-stopper, and a locker-room presence capable of lifting a defense’s ceiling. In Miami, he was frequently praised for his film study, his football IQ, and his vocal leadership. Even as he transitions to a new team and scheme in Las Vegas, expectations are sky-high for Wilkins to continue building on his dominance. His inclusion on CBS’ top 100 list reflects the growing consensus across the league that he is no longer an under-the-radar contributor—he’s a game-changing star.
Deshaun Watson, the other Clemson product on the list, has had a far more turbulent journey but remains one of the league’s most physically gifted quarterbacks. Now with the Cleveland Browns, Watson’s path since being drafted in the first round by the Houston Texans in 2017 has been marked by both brilliance and adversity. Before his off-field controversies and suspension in 2021, Watson had established himself as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL, posting multiple 4,000-yard seasons and earning Pro Bowl honors. In 2020, he led the NFL in passing yards despite a struggling Texans roster, showcasing his arm talent, mobility, and poise.
Watson’s time in Cleveland has yet to match the heights he reached in Houston, but flashes of his elite potential continue to surface. A shoulder injury shortened his 2023 season, but when healthy, Watson showed the ability to extend plays, attack downfield, and make throws few quarterbacks in the league can attempt, let alone complete. As the Browns continue to build around him with a talented supporting cast—including Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, and David Njoku—the hope in Cleveland is that Watson will rediscover the form that once made him a legitimate MVP contender.
CBS Sports’ list is crafted through a combination of player production, impact, positional value, and projected trajectory entering the 2024 NFL season. For Wilkins and Watson, making the cut is not just an acknowledgment of past success, but also a projection of continued excellence. It speaks volumes about the culture and caliber of talent that Clemson has produced under Dabo Swinney’s leadership—a program that has sent dozens of players to the NFL, many of whom have gone on to become stars.
Both Wilkins and Watson played pivotal roles in Clemson’s golden era. Wilkins, a cornerstone of the Tigers’ 2016 and 2018 national championship teams, was known for his infectious energy, dance moves, and high-level play. He was a four-year contributor, a team captain, and a leader both on and off the field. Clemson fans will never forget his versatility—lining up as a fullback on goal-line plays, blocking kicks, and anchoring a defensive line that routinely overwhelmed top competition.
Watson, meanwhile, is arguably the most iconic quarterback in school history. His performance in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game, where he led a last-minute drive to defeat Alabama and clinch Clemson’s first title since 1981, remains one of the defining moments in college football history. His poise under pressure, competitive fire, and clutch gene were evident every time he stepped on the field. He finished his college career with over 10,000 total yards and 116 touchdowns, rewriting the Clemson record books and elevating the program to new heights.
Their continued success in the NFL serves as a powerful recruiting tool for Clemson, a program that continues to emphasize not just college success, but preparation for the next level. Recruits and their families are drawn to the idea of developing at a school that not only wins championships, but also grooms athletes for professional stardom. The fact that Wilkins and Watson are being recognized among the top 100 players in the most competitive football league in the world underscores that promise.
Wilkins’ rise to the top has been particularly gratifying for Clemson fans who watched him develop from a highly-touted recruit into a dominant collegiate player, and now into a top-tier NFL star. His time in the NFL has been characterized by consistency, durability, and the kind of contagious enthusiasm that makes him a fan favorite. Whether he’s breaking up a screen pass, plugging a run lane, or celebrating a sack with one of his trademark celebrations, Wilkins brings an undeniable spark to the game.
Watson, despite the challenges he’s faced, remains a player whose talent commands respect. His journey is a reminder of the complexity and scrutiny that comes with being a franchise quarterback in the modern NFL. Yet, with each passing season, Watson has the opportunity to reshape the narrative, relying on his immense skillset and leadership capabilities. If he can stay healthy and return to form, the Browns are poised to contend in an AFC that’s as competitive as ever.
The inclusion of both players on CBS’ list also serves as a reminder of how unique it is for a college program to produce elite talent on both sides of the ball. Many schools can boast about their skill-position prowess or their defensive pedigree, but Clemson has proven capable of producing stars in the trenches, in the backfield, under center, and everywhere in between. It’s a comprehensive development model that has been fine-tuned under Swinney’s leadership and complemented by elite coaching, top-tier facilities, and an unmatched culture of accountability and brotherhood.
Wilkins and Watson’s stories are still being written, and while their paths have diverged in many ways, they remain linked by their Clemson roots. Every time they step onto the field in the NFL, they carry with them the pride of a program that believed in them, developed them, and watched them become great. Whether it’s Watson uncorking a 60-yard bomb on the run or Wilkins blowing up a third-and-short play with brute force and precision timing, Clemson fans have reason to cheer—not just for the plays themselves, but for what those plays represent.
There’s also an emotional connection that Tigers fans maintain with both players. Wilkins was beloved for his personality—always the first to celebrate a teammate’s success, a constant presence in the community, and a player who treated every rep in practice like it was game day. Watson, stoic and composed, was the warrior-poet of Clemson football—soft-spoken but deadly accurate, a quiet leader who always delivered when it mattered most. Their legacies at Clemson were built not just on winning, but on character, toughness, and a commitment to excellence.
Looking ahead, both players will enter the 2024 NFL season with much to prove. Wilkins will be looking to justify his new contract and emerge as the defensive centerpiece of a Raiders team eager to return to playoff contention. Watson will be hoping to stay healthy and lead the Browns deeper into the postseason than they’ve been in decades. Their names on CBS’ top 100 list are not participation trophies—they are acknowledgments of elite ability, hard-earned respect, and expectations of greatness moving forward.
In the grand narrative of Clemson football’s NFL pipeline, Wilkins and Watson are two of its brightest stars. They’ve carried the lessons learned in Death Valley to the biggest stage in professional sports. Their success is a testament to talent, yes—but also to grit, preparation, and belief. As they continue to shine under the NFL’s brightest lights, Clemson can rightfully claim them as proof that the path from Howard’s Rock can lead straight to NFL stardom.
