Ronan Hanafin Embracing His New Role at Safety for Clemson
TAKE ADVANTAGE → Get THREE Months of CST+ for just $1.00
Last spring, Ronan Hanafin was targeted four times as a wide receiver without a catch in Clemson’s Orange and White Spring Game. Fast forward a year, and the junior found himself on the opposite side of the ball, logging four tackles for the White team in Saturday’s game but this time as a safety.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Hanafin spent his entire freshman season and the 2024 offseason repping at wideout. That changed just before Clemson’s season-opening matchup with No. 2 Georgia last August when coaches approached him with a surprise proposition.
“It was right away," recalled Hanafin of the abrupt shift earlier this spring. "I didn't really expect it." He also switched from jersey No. 15 to No. 16 before the move to No. 5.
“I knew there was some conversation that I could be a huge help on defense,” noted the Burlington, Massachusetts native. “Honestly, where I can help the team the most is where I want to be. I think I have a huge upside there, too.”
Hanafin's size and speed — attributes that attracted schools to him as a linebacker or safety during his recruitment — have made him an intriguing player for new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. After finishing last season with 13 tackles in 14 games, mostly on special teams and in spot duty, Hanafin received his first full spring of instruction at safety.
“It’s been great. I’m having a lot of fun with it,” he said. “Tyler Venables, Khalil Barnes, RJ [Mickens], and the coaches — Nolan [Turner], Coach [Mickey] Conn — they’ve all been huge in helping me with the technique. Just learning how to play from a more technical perspective. It’s a lot different from wideout, especially watching film and all that stuff — breaking it down from the defensive perspective instead of offense. Just learning those little things has been a huge help.”
The Tigers' defense struggled against the run in 2024, and under Allen, the emphasis has been on improving tackling. For Hanafin, this focus on tackling aligns perfectly with his background. He was always the aggressive one, thriving in contact sports, where he was known to be a little too overzealous at times.
"I'm big on hitting," admitted Hanafin, a former lacrosse player at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. "I played all contact sports, hockey and lacrosse, growing up, and I was always the kid that was in the penalty box. I was a little overaggressive at times. But obviously, that helps in football. So that's been a huge help for me at safety."
Head coach Dabo Swinney has taken note of Hanafin’s development and potential.
“He’s a sophomore that has had no fundamental work at safety until this spring. He never had an offseason,” Swinney said. “He’s kind of that boundary rover type guy, and it’s the right spot.”
“He is doing well. He can run. He’s big. He’s strong. He’s physical,” added Swinney. “But just getting better each day. Every day is an opportunity for him to improve and gain some confidence. They’re all learning the scheme, learning the terminology, and he’s one of those guys that flashes. You just notice him.”
Hanafin will compete with Kylon Griffin, Rob Billings, and Kylen Webb to line up at strong safety opposite free safety Khalil Barnes when Clemson faces LSU in Death Valley on Aug. 30, 2025.
