CLEMSON — Clemson’s linebackers should look a little more familiar this season.

Why?

Ben Boulware is back running the unit. Head coach Dabo Swinney hired Boulware as a full-time assistant coach back in January. When defensive coordinator Tom Allen came on board, Boulware was promoted to linebackers coach, a position he is very familiar with.

Boulware spent four seasons leading the Tigers’ defensive units from 2013-’14. He quarterbacked some of the best defenses in Clemson history.

The 2014 unit led the nation in total defense, while in 2015 the Tigers’ defense played a big role in their run to the national championship game. In 2016, Boulware earned All-American status at linebacker, while helping Clemson win its first national championship in 35 years.

The Tigers’ linebackers will definitely take on Boulware’s personality in 2025. And it helps Boulware that senior Wade Woodaz is back to lead the way.

Despite missing two games, Woodaz led Clemson with 89 tackles in 2024 and posted 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and an interception. He was one of only six power conference players to record double-digit tackles for loss, three or more forced fumbles and an interception in 2024.

Sammy Brown is also back for his sophomore season. Last year, the then freshman had 87 tackles, the most by a Clemson freshman under Dabo Swinney and the most by a Clemson freshman in any era since Anthony Simmons’ freshman-record 150 tackles in 1995.

Brown’s performance garnered him Freshman All-America and ACC Rookie of the Year honors.

Former Alabama linebacker Jeremiah Alexander had a good spring and will be in the fold, as well. It should help that he reunites with his former high school teammate, Peter Woods. The two won multiple state championships together at Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala.

Kobe McCloud is back from a season-ending knee surgery, an injury he suffered back in Week 2 against App State.

McCloud’s absence helped the development of Dee Crayton, who got a lot of playing time late in the season, as he stepped up in a clutch 58-snap performance at Pitt last year with several linebackers missing time thanks to injuries or disqualification.

Jamal Anderson returns for his third year, as well. The son of former Atlanta Falcons running back, Jamal Anderson, he has been a special teams staple for the Tigers thus far in his career. He partially blocked a punt against Stanford last September.

The group also includes redshirt freshmen Drew Woodaz, Wade’s brother, C.J. Kubah-Taylor and freshman Logan Anderson.