CLEMSON – Ben Boulware has only been Clemson’s linebackers coach for a few months, but his energy is already contagious.

During his playing days at Clemson, Boulware was known for his high energy, his football IQ and his charming antics. It’s what made him an All-American and, more importantly, a leader.

All of his attributes, plus his ability to play the game instinctively, helped the Tigers have one of the nation’s best defensive units and ultimately win a national championship.

“It is really great having him here because he has such great perspective since he played here,” linebacker Sammy Brown said. “He knows the game.”

No one knows how to play linebacker in college football more than Ben Boulware. During his career at Clemson from 2013-’16, the former T.L. Hanna star tallied 352 career tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five interceptions, 41 quarterback pressures, 10 pass breakups, six caused fumbles and four recovered fumbles.

In 2016, he won the Jack Lambert Award as the nation’s best linebacker. A very fitting honor considering Boulware owned some of the same traits that made Lambert a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a four-time Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I think our group chat for the linebackers is called “Meathead University.” He is going to push us as hard as he can,” Brown said. “I think he said he is going to drag us out into the deep water, and when we come back, we are going to be men. It is going to be really fun.”

No surprise, Brown is a lot like Boulware. He has great instincts, a big motor and a passion for the game few can match.

“He knows the defense. He gives you that kind of perspective where you are like, ‘Oh, you have done this before. I trust you,’”

That trust is big for Brown, who is hoping to build off last year’s Freshman All-American campaign.

Last year, Brown was named the defensive Rookie of the Year in the ACC after he was credited with 87 tackles (11.5 for loss), five sacks and four pass breakups. He finished second on the team in tackles.

His 87 tackles were the most by a Clemson freshman under Dabo Swinney and the most by a Clemson freshman in any era since Anthony Simmons’ freshman-school-record 150 tackles in 1995.