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Ben Boulware believes communication is the trait that separates good linebackers from great ones.
Boulware thinks the Tigers have plenty of talent entering the 2026 season, but the biggest challenge facing the room isn't making tackles; it's becoming the voice of the defense.
For Boulware, linebackers are responsible for far more than reading plays and filling gaps, and in year two under defensive coordinator Tom Allen, the Tigers are expecting to take a big step forward.
They are tasked with getting the entire defense lined up, making checks before the snap and holding teammates accountable throughout the game.
"The backers have to run the defense," Boulware said. "We're the ones that have to communicate, get guys lined up. And also hold people accountable. So that's the biggest area of growth that I'm wanting to see in the fall camp."
That responsibility becomes even more important this season following the departure of Wade Woodaz, whose vocal leadership anchored Clemson's defense last year.
Boulware described Woodaz as an emotional, high-energy leader, while Sammy Brown, who is expected to take over as the group's centerpiece, leads in a much different way.
"Wade is more of a meathead, run through a brick wall, fight anybody that disagrees with him," Boulware said. "That's perfectly fine. Then Sammy is Dean's List, biology major, yes sir, no sir. And that's perfectly fine."
Rather than trying to make Brown into another Woodaz, Boulware said his job is to help Brown become the best version of himself.
That process has already begun.
Boulware said he recently challenged Brown after hearing the linebackers weren't communicating enough during workouts away from the football facility. Brown immediately called his position coach to discuss how he could improve.
"I know you're gonna grade out probably 100% every single game," Boulware told him. "You're gonna make plays. This is gonna be the area that I cuss you out the most. It was communication and holding guys accountable."
The conversation illustrates what Boulware sees as the highest level of leadership. He explained leadership as progressing through three stages:
- Players holding themselves accountable
- Coaches holding players accountable
- Teammates challenging one another without coaches having to intervene
"The biggest area where guys struggle is holding each other accountable and not being afraid to call a guy out," Boulware said. "Equally, it's challenging to encourage a guy and love a dude up."
Boulware acknowledged that coaching today's players often requires balancing criticism with encouragement. While there are moments for tough coaching, he believes understanding each player's personality is just as important.
"I wasn't trying to make Wade into me," Boulware said. "I was trying to make Wade the best Wade that he could possibly be. Now I'm trying to make Sammy and all the other guys the best versions of themselves."
That philosophy extends throughout Clemson's linebacker room.
Veterans Jeremiah Alexander and Fletcher Cothran have earned praise for naturally communicating and holding teammates accountable, while Brown and Kobe McCloud have been pushed to become more vocal despite their quieter personalities.
Boulware has even gone so far as to instruct veteran linebackers to remain silent during practice, forcing younger players to step forward and make defensive calls themselves.
"You can't be a quiet linebacker," Boulware said. "You can be quiet off the field, but when you get in between those lines, you've got to be a dude that speaks up and runs it. It's like quarterback. If you’ve got a quiet quarterback, it just presents challenges."
As Clemson enters fall camp, Boulware seems optimistic that his unit will take on the same traits he had as a linebacker in Tiger Town, pointing out plays and communicating before the snap.
If that happens, he believes the rest of Clemson's defense will benefit in year two in Allen’s scheme.
