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Last season, Clemson’s defense had its bright spots, but inconsistency tackling in space was one of the glaring issues that haunted the Tigers. Missed tackles showed up in critical moments—losses to Louisville and South Carolina especially highlighted the need for sharper fundamentals. This offseason, though, Clemson has made it clear: fixing that problem has been priority number one.
Kylon Griffin, who posted 25 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception in 2024, said the emphasis has been relentless under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen.
Allen, the former Indiana head coach and Penn State DC, is entering his first season at Clemson with a reputation for fiery leadership and defensive toughness. His track record of energizing players has already made an impact on the Tigers.
“Coach Allen has his ways of making us better in every area—tackling especially,” Griffin explained during fall camp. “From the beginning to the end of practice, even after practice, he emphasizes it. He’s been on the mic all preseason saying, ‘Best tackling team in the country.’”
That message has resonated, not just as a slogan but in how the Tigers approach every rep.
“It shows up in every segment of practice,” the Montgomery, Alabama native noted. “Walkthroughs, jog-throughs, live reps—every detail is emphasized. Everything we do, we’re focusing on proper technique and details.”
It’s not just about wrapping up, either. Griffin noted that the defense has tied tackling into two other pillars: effort and takeaways. Those three points —tackling, effort, and turnovers —have been hammered home as the foundation for defensive improvement.
The difference, Griffin said, is visible.
“Everybody’s flying around. I think the intensity has cranked up a couple notches,” he said. “When you combine that with the simplicity of Coach Allen’s system, it just lets us play freer.”
Allen has intentionally kept things simple on defense. The idea is to allow players to understand not only their assignments but also what the offense is trying to do. Simplicity, combined with accountability, has created a defense that feels more confident.
For Griffin, that means his own growth is tied to the unit’s growth. “I try to get better in every area,” he said. “Tackling, keeping my eyes on the quarterback, man-to-man coverage, all of it.”
The next test comes quickly. After finishing 10–4 last year, No. 4 Clemson opens the 2025 season against No. 9 LSU on August 30. A national spotlight will offer a clear answer to whether the Tigers’ tackling improvements are real—or still a work in progress.
For now, though, Griffin and his teammates are buying in. The goal isn’t just to improve.
It’s to be, as Coach Allen has been telling them every day, “the best tackling team in the country.”
