CLEMSON – Last October, Tom Allen found himself in a dilemma in his first season as Clemson’s defensive coordinator. 

He wanted to be creative with defensive schemes — to dial up blitzes and implement disguises, to create the intensity that his top-10 Penn State defense imposed in 2024.

There was only one issue, however. The Tigers’ secondary struggled in 1-on-1 matchups, and he could not risk getting burned in deep plays with creative strategies.

Clemson’s secondary ranked 12th in the ACC in passing yards allowed last year, giving up 42 catches of 20 yards or more in 13 games. That means that while future second-round draft pick Avieon Terrell hounded wide receivers, and sophomore Ashton Hampton showed flashes of greatness, Clemson’s defense averaged over three 20-plus yard busts in each game.

Allen, alongside head coach Dabo Swinney, made a mid-season change after high-scoring losses to SMU and Duke. The pair asked Allen’s son, Thomas, to gather the players each week, making sure everyone understood their respective assignments.

It helped, as the Tigers went on to win four straight regular season games to bounce back from the 1-3 start, allowing just an average of 13 points per game in that stretch. 

However, the bigger changes came after the season, when Allen had his first chance to go out and get “his guys”– players with length, speed, and a competitive fire that could not be stifled by a bad play or game.

When the transfer portal opened, with Terrell (NFL) and fellow cornerbacks Jeadyn Lukus (eligibility) and Shelton Lewis (transfer portal) leaving the program, Allen, and cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, was in the market for new cornerbacks. 

He knew exactly who to call.

He already had his phone number.

The Tigers’ first portal commit, cornerback Elliott Washington II, came on Jan. 5. It did not take Washington long to pick a school, because he already knew Allen. The pair first worked together at Penn State in 2024, Washington’s sophomore year with the Nittany Lions.

In three seasons at Penn State, Washington collected 53 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups, despite getting limited playing time.

Allen remembered Washington’s toughness, his athleticism, and shortly after spring practice started, was quick to comment on his intensity. Swinney went as far as calling him “the best guy in spring.”

The second cornerback pickup came one day later, when Auburn transfer Donovan Starr signed with the Tigers. Like Washington, Starr was familiar with Clemson’s culture and goals, as he almost committed to Swinney out of high school.

Now, Allen officially has “his guys” for the first time in his Clemson tenure, and will have a chance to show Tiger fans what he can cook up with players he hand-picked. Maybe this year, he will feel more comfortable sending linebacker Sammy Brown or his new safeties on more blitzes.

The Tigers’ new-look secondary will have their first chance to make a statement on Sept. 5, when Clemson opens its season against LSU in Baton Rouge, La.