Last Saturday against Florida State, Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Alexander enjoyed his best game as a Tiger thus far.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound redshirt junior collected five tackles (one for loss), his first career sack and first career fumble recovery in the 24-10 victory over the Seminoles at Memorial Stadium.

A former five-star recruit from Alabaster, Ala., Alexander transferred to Clemson early this year, and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is high on Alexander’s potential as he continues to see more action at the linebacker position.

Alexander spent his first three seasons (2022-24) at Alabama, where he was part of an extremely crowded linebacker room. Much of his work came on special teams during his time in Tuscaloosa, but Swinney says he’s “gaining confidence” as he gets more and more acclimated to his role with the Tigers.

“Everybody knows that Jeremiah was a highly recruited guy coming out of high school, but he was an edge guy,” Swinney noted. “He was an edge guy in a linebacker body, and he needed to make a move. So at Alabama, he made the move and started building some fundamentals and foundation playing linebacker. But he really didn’t play hardly, and then he got hurt. So, he just hasn’t had much game experience at backer. And then he comes here, so learning kind of the terminology and the system and all that, and just getting to where he’s not out there thinking.”

In nine games this season (two starts), Alexander has played 118 total defensive snaps and tallied 20 total tackles (one for loss), one sack, one pass breakup and two quarterback pressures.

His fumble recovery against FSU was a big one and came late in the first quarter, with the Noles inside the Clemson 10-yard line.

“He’s just gotten better, and better, and better, and better. Now his attributes are starting to shine,” Swinney said. “Because he’s not playing hesitant. He can run, he’s physical, he’s a violent player. So, I think he’s just going to keep going.”

Swinney has praised Alexander for his work ethic, saying, “If everybody worked like Jeremiah Alexander, this would be the easiest job in America.”

Swinney credited Clemson linebackers coach Ben Boulware for the work he’s done with Alexander, who has another year of eligibility remaining after this season.

“He’s got another year, and he needs it,” Swinney said. “But I’m really proud of him, because he’s one of the best kids I’ve ever met and been around, and I’m just proud of his progression. Ben has done a great job with him, but there’s more there. There’s more there, but you’re starting to see some of the fruits of his work that he’s put in.”