CLEMSON – In the offseason, Clemson’s football staff identified major areas of need, targeting five positions to bolster the defense. 

Defensive coordinator Tom Allen and his assistants utilized the transfer portal to bring in 10 players to plug holes in the defensive line, the secondary, and at linebacker — the biggest gaps they identified on the roster.

However, their lone transfer linebacker left Clemson after alleged tampering, and the Tigers were left without a notable boost of talent. Suddenly, the roster took an unexpected hit, despite careful planning.

“The challenging part of that whole situation was you targeted to go after one (linebacker) and then because of the timing of everything, it allowed you not to be able to do that because it closed so quickly after that,” Allen said in early March.

With linebacker Luke Ferrelli leaving campus for Ole Miss, the Tigers were back to their original prospects at his position. In fact, they were especially depleted after veteran Wade Woodaz used up his eligibility and depth player Dee Crayton announced his transfer after the 2025 season.

Despite original concerns, however, Allen stood by his linebackers on the roster after an early spring practice.

 “I feel like there’s a bunch of hungry guys in there that have something to prove and have to take a next big step,” he said. “And we need them to do that. And so, to me, that’s a challenge to them. And so, that’s the opportunity that they’ve been presented with.”

One of the linebackers that could ultimately take a “next big step” this year is Jeremiah Alexander, a former Alabama player who transferred to Clemson in 2025. In his first year as a Tiger, Alexander tallied 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and 33 total tackles in three starts.

While “playing his best football” in the spring, according to Allen, Alexander has worked his way into starting conversations, and learned how to play the middle and outside positions. Alexander also mentioned working on the strong side in later play installations.

“I’ve been told I have to learn all three,” Alexander said. “You know, the more the better. The more opportunities to play on the field.”

Another linebacker who will look to take the next step this season is Kobe McCloud, a redshirt junior who has battled injuries and been in the “Crock-Pot,” a Dabo Swinney term for developing players behind the scenes. 

After starting three games in four seasons, McCloud now finds himself “in the mix” to start at the outside backer position.

“Kobe’s had a really good spring,” Allen said. “Obviously, a year ago he didn’t practice. He wasn’t a full go for spring ball last spring, but he’s done a really really good job to elevate.”

While questions still exist around who will make the first start at middle or outside linebacker, the other spot will assuredly be taken by veteran Sammy Brown, a 2025 third-team All-American and 2024’s ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Behind Brown and a combination of Alexander and McCloud, there is a question mark when it comes to depth, especially experience depth.

Allen noted C.J. Kubah Taylor, Fletcher Cothran, and Logan Anderson as names to watch moving forward.

“Obviously Sammy’s the leader of that group and Sammy’s special, but we got to be able to have four guys and we say we can rotate those four guys in there and feel good about whoever steps in the game,” Allen said.

Allen went into the spring feeling unsure about the depth at linebacker, but he saw players step up in the spring.

“Linebacker kind of sticks out to me as having really improved, as a collective group, and as a group that we knew we needed to really improve a lot,” Allen said. “And so, we got a lot of guys to take their game to a higher level.” 

The Tigers will find out how high when they head to Baton Rouge, La., to open their season against LSU at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 5.