For Clemson linebackers coach Ben Boulware, communication is key.

That is the one area where Boulware wants to see exponential growth during fall camp, and a lot of that responsibility is now going to lie with junior Sammy Brown. With Wade Woodaz no longer with the program, Brown is expected to take on a much larger role in the leadership department.

“That is something the guys really leaned on Wade for last year. And that is fine,” Boulware said during Clemson’s annual media day. “It was Wade’s responsibility to be the alpha, the rah-rah guy, the challenger, because he was the old head. Had the most experience. Now that transition has been made to Sammy.”

However, with Woodaz and Brown having vastly different personalities, it’s been a learning process. For both Brown and Boulware.

“They are different guys,” Boulware added. “Wade is more of a meathead, run through a brick wall, fight anybody that disagrees with him, and that is perfectly fine. Then Sammy is dean’s list, biology major, yes sir, no sir, and that is perfectly fine. It is my responsibility to understand how to communicate with each guy, and how to lead each guy because they are different. It is not cookie cutter. When it comes to being the alpha, being the glue of the defense, holding guys accountable and challenging people, there is a method to that.”

And Boulware has made it clear to Brown that that learning process might not always be a smooth one.

“Know that this is going to be the area that I cuss you out the most,” Boulware said. “Communication and holding guys accountable.”

“No one has really challenged them from a communication standpoint to like, ‘No dude, this is how we are freaking doing it, and if you don’t do it this way, we are going to box. We’ll fight.'”

Make no mistake, no one is questioning what Brown can do once the whistle blows. The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder was named to multiple first-team All-ACC squads after an overly impressive sophomore campaign, and he is now being pegged as one of the top linebackers for next year’s draft, should he choose to go that route.

What Boulware wants to see is Brown grow into the type of leader his linebacker room needs, and that will be the point of emphasis over the next few weeks.

“You can’t be a quiet linebacker. I mean, it can be done, but you are presenting challenges to the rest of the defense when you have linebackers that are not good communicators,” Boulware said. “You can be quiet off the field, but when you get in between those lines, you’ve got to be a dude that speaks up and runs it.”

“The backers have to run the defense. Are the ones who have to communicate, get guys lined up and also hold people accountable. So, that is the biggest area of growth that I am wanting to see in fall camp.”