Many know Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins for his exploits on the football field, but what he does away from it may come as a surprise.
Since the Tigers’ season ended with a loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Wilkins has been spending time as a substitute teacher. He even subbed in teaching classes for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, according to a story from ESPN’s Chris Low.
“It was fun, but took a lot out of me,” Wilkins told ESPN’s Low. “I felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger in ‘Kindergarten Cop’ with all those little kids. Talk about energy, but it was a real cool experience.”
Not surprisingly, Wilkins became something of a celebrity at James M. Brown Elementary School in Walhalla, South Carolina. It’s not hard to stand out when you’re 6-foot-4 and nearly 300 pounds as he is. He told ESPN that there were lots of teachers who are Clemson fans who came by to poke their heads into the room.
Wilkins graduated in just two and a half years with a degree in communications, which has allowed him time to teach. He has also filled in a few days at a South Carolina high school.
Wilkins finished his junior season with had 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 8.5 tackles for loss. He earned First Team All-ACC honors and was a co-captain for the Tigers.
