R100 DT names top eight

Rivals100 defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is taking a very meticulous approach to his recruitment. The Suffield (Conn.) Suffield Academy star knows of a handful of schools he is calling his top eight.

"Some of the places that have been keeping in contact with me the most are Clemson, Ohio State and Boston College," said the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Wilkins. "I'll have a specific top five or six by early September. Right now I have a top eight of Virginia, North Carolina, Stanford, Ohio State, Penn State, Clemson, Boston College and Notre Dame."

With that being said, there are a few coaches Wilkins feels closest with.

"I talk to coach Albert from Boston College a lot," he said. "I have a good, strong relationship with him. He definitely gives me good vibes and he seems like a quality guy that really cares about you as a person. We talk the most and I've grow a liking to him.

"I talk to Coach Venables and coach Scott from Clemson a lot too," Wilkins said. "Coach Venables talks to me a lot too and we've grown to like each other also. I'm getting a good feel for him.

"It was good spending time with Coach Spencer and coach Franklin at the barbecue," he said. "I got to sit down with coach Spencer and see a little bit of what he likes to do with the defensive line. A lot of the Penn State recruits are reaching out to me and trying to show me that they are interested, want me and that I'm a priority for them. With the sanctions and everything, it's impressive what they've been able to do so they're obviously doing something right."

Wilkins most recent visit was to Penn State for their barbecue.

"That was a good visit to Penn State," said Wilkins. "It was nice to get out there especially because it will help me narrow things down. One of the good things about being there was that I got a good feel for the guys, which is a big piece. I saw them interact and saw how the coaches interact with them not really as a coach but just in a way where they were just hanging out with the guys."

Wilkins has visited every school in his top eight except for one.

"I don't have anything specific planned right now," he said. "If a time opens up before the season where I can take a visit I'll definitely want to do that.

"Only one that I haven't visited yet is Notre Dame," Wilkins said. "If the time opened up before official visits I would like to a visit there."

Wilkins is currently ranked as the No. 53 player in the country.