The Clemson linebacker room will be one to watch for 2024, and Wes Goodwin will have a lot to decide when crafting the defense for his third season calling plays.

While the Tigers have grown very comfortable with prototype linebackers, there’s a wild card in the mix who gives some versatility in the room. When looking at who will fill in for Jeremiah Trotter Jr. leaving for the NFL, Kobe McCloud is the quiet yet interesting option.

McCloud stands at 5-foot-10, 225 pounds. That’s not the normal linebacker build but that’s where Goodwin can have fun. He’s a gifted athlete to balance his undersized nature and it was evident with extra reps in the Gator Bowl victory. That game featured the first look at the defense without Trotter, and his four tackles is the foreshadowing to this year’s rotation.

Last season, McCloud played in 11 games and finished with 17 tackles, 3.5 for loss and a forced fumble. When deciding where he’ll fit in the rotation, it’s pretty simple. There’s no doubt that Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz will lead the way, but McCloud is the third linebacker who can play when the team needs extra help against heavy run teams.

While his size might not line up with that, he was Clemson’s highest graded linebacker in both run defense and tackling last season according to Pro Football Focus. Yes, even over Trotter and Carter, albeit with limited reps. With some improvements in pass defense, he could be a great tool given his speed in that phase as well.

That mix of athleticism and technique allows Goodwin to have another reliable option in the room. If McCloud has a strong spring, he could be poised for a breakout and secure his spot as the third linebacker in the rotation.