As Clemson returned to the practice field following spring break, defensive coordinator Tom Allen didn’t hesitate when asked what’s different about this group.
“The buy-in has been really, really at a high level,” Allen said.
That response comes after a 2025 season that fell well short of expectations. Entering the year with College Football Playoff aspirations, Clemson instead finished 7-6, struggling to find consistency on both sides of the ball and failing to meet the standard the program had set.
Through spring practice, Allen believes the response has started with ownership, and it begins with the leaders inside the locker room.
“Sammy’s [Brown] leadership and his understanding of just last year not being good enough… especially at critical times,” Allen said.
Linebacker Sammy Brown has emerged as the tone-setter, but Allen was quick to point out that the shift isn’t isolated to one player.
“The leadership of Sammy and Will Heldt and even Jaheim [Lawson]. Ashton [Hampton] in the secondary and Ronan [Hanafin], their leadership has been very, very strong. You can feel it.”
That presence is showing up in the way Clemson practices.
“It’s the level three accountability. It’s them taking ownership of how we practice,” the second-year defensive coordinator noted.
For a defense that showed flashes but lacked consistency in 2025, that internal accountability is a necessary step forward.
Allen also pointed to a major structural improvement within the roster. A year ago, depth was a concern coming out of spring. This time, it’s becoming a strength.
“I feel like we have really good competition at all positions,” he said.
Nowhere is that more evident than at linebacker, a group Allen identified as the most improved unit this spring.
“Linebacker kind of sticks out to me. It’s a group that we know needed to really improve a lot.”
Players like Jeremiah Alexander, C.J. Kubah-Taylor, Kobe McCloud, and Logan Anderson have all taken steps forward, giving Clemson options it didn’t consistently have a season ago. The plan reflects that growth.
“We’re going to play our best guys and create a rotation.”
That competition also brings added flexibility, something Allen is intentionally building into the defense.
“I’m trying to get it to where they’re all multi-positional guys.”
While progress is evident, Allen was direct about where improvement is still needed. The defensive line, particularly on the interior, remains a key focus.
“Our defensive line, especially interiorly, that’s a big area for us.”
That need became more pressing following a spring ACL injury for transfer Kourtney Kelly.
“It’s a tough, tough blow… but the other guys now got to step up.”
That puts added attention on players like Vic Burley.
“He’s one I’m counting on. We need him to be a guy that we can count on,” Allen noted of the former four-star standout.
Beyond personnel, Allen’s emphasis continues to center on execution, particularly the small details that often determine outcomes.
“Quarterback responsibilities on certain calls… communication… eliminate some of those mistakes.”
Even with noticeable improvement in tackling, he believes there’s more to fix.
“We’ve improved our tackling, but there are some subtle things there.”
The expectation is clear.
“Drill it so much you can’t get it wrong.”
As Clemson approaches its spring game on March 28, Allen is already looking beyond it. The next phase, in his mind, will be just as important.
“I didn’t think we got enough out of the summer a year ago. I’ve got a plan to improve that,” he noted.
With less direct oversight from coaches, responsibility will fall even more on the players who have driven the progress this spring.
“We can’t be with them as much; the leadership is going to be really, really critical.”
Clemson’s defense isn’t starting over, but it is being reshaped. After a 2025 season that exposed issues in depth, execution, and consistency, the early signs this spring point toward a group intent on correcting them.
