Will Lightning Strike Twice?

It was January 15, 2009. 

CJ Spiller sat in a press conference and announced that he would return for his senior season at Clemson.

There wasn't a lot of confidence that Spiller would return for his final year. He didn't owe anyone at Clemson anything, but Tiger fans had one thing: Hope.

A young wide receivers coach named Dabo Swinney didn't have much of a chance to land the 5-star running back out of Lake Butler, Florida. After getting Spiller to sign the back of a business card that he would take a visit to Clemson, Swinney had the same thing then that Tiger fans have right now: Hope.

Spiller signed the card, and eventually committed to Clemson.

Dabo Swinney still has that card on his desk.

Hope was all that Dabo Swinney needed, and it was enough. 

Spiller became Swinney's signature recruit, and before Spiller's career ended, the program was left in the hands of the man who brought him to Clemson.

Would Spiller bolt for the riches of the NFL?

Tiger fans felt that if Spiller would return to play for Swinney just one more season, perhaps something special might be brewing. After all, the relationship between Swinney and Spiller was sincere and if the running back returned, his coach might be able to prove to Clemson fans that he was worthy of being their head coach long term.

Then, on January 15, 2009, Spiller shocked college football fans and returned. The senior then led Clemson to their first ACC Championship game but could not get Clemson past Georgia Tech in the title game. However, the future looked pretty good thanks to the hope that Swinney and Spiller instilled.

Many people still believe that it was Spiller's arrival on campus that changed Clemson football's culture. It was a sign that Clemson could recruit at the highest level. Bringing in players like Spiller, Clemson football would finally escape the rut that it had been in since the days of Danny Ford.

Similarly, Christian Wilkins has a chance to shock the college football world with "one last ride." 

There are different dudes out there, and then there's Christian Wilkins. During several conversations on the radio show this year, I noted, "If there's ever been a guy that loves the college experience, it is Christian Wilkins."

But the experience alone probably isn't enough to keep the Springfield, Massachusetts native in Clemson. 

The bitter taste left in his mouth after falling 24-6 in the Sugar Bowl may have done the trick.

Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Austin Bryant, and Dexter Lawrence expected to all go out on top. They didn't.

Ferrell and Bryant announced Saturday that they planned to return. That leaves Wilkins. 

This is the same kid who Clemson's staff identified as a player that could lead the program to a national title. Wilkins did that.

Since Wilkins joined the team, Clemson's played for two titles and has been in the playoffs three consecutive times. It sounds like the staff identified the right guy.

But this past season didn't finish how Wilkins wanted it too.  He can still make it out on top.

If Wilkins returns and joins his brothers on the defensive line, Clemson would be the favorite to win a fourth straight ACC Title and would become one of the favorites to get back to the College Football Playoff.

Tiger fans are hoping Wilkins will return just as Spiller did nine years ago.

They are hoping that lightning will strike twice.

Join Clemson Sports Talk today for just $1. Come be a part of the only Clemson website with a two-hour daily radio show (Monday-Friday) dedicated to the Tigers. Enjoy enhanced coverage of your Clemson Tigers, plus the best look and feel of any Clemson website on your mobile device.