Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney revealed that former Clemson football athlete and current member of the coaching staff Ben Boulware will be taking on more responsibilities in terms of recruiting.
After introducing newly hired defensive coordinator Tom Allen, Swinney announced that Allen would not be on the recruiting trail, and instead earn a crucial opportunity to stay with the team and learn the program.
When speaking of Allen’s defensive role, Swinney stated, “He will run the defense. He’s not going to go on the road recruiting, so he’s going to always be with the team and we really like that.”
In his place, will be former Clemson athlete Ben Boulware, who will now participate in on-the-road recruiting. Boulware has immediately immersed himself in his new role, as he travelled to Buford, Georgia and Grayson, Texas to meet with some of the better players out there.
The trip began with 4-star defensive lineman Bryce Perry-Wright and continued to Grayson to meet with the No. 1 rated linebacker, Tyler Atkinson. The 5-star linebacker was also just recently granted the MaxPreps Junior player of the year award. Atkinson took to X to acknowledge his visit with the Clemson staff.
Swinney also mentioned the possibility of taking a similar route offensively, which would keep offensive coordinator Garrett Riley in Clemson. In this scenario, Swinney mentioned that Tajh Boyd would be the one who would conduct on-the-road recruiting offensively.
As a player, Boulware played four seasons with Clemson, from 2013 to 2016, winning a national championship in his final season. He was ultimately not drafted, before signing with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free-agent. However, he was released before he could tally any stats.
After a brief stint with the 49er’s, he joined the Clemson coaching staff as an intern. Coach Swinney has progressively granted him more roles and responsibility since joining the staff.
The Clemson Tigers will begin their 2025-2026 campaign at home against LSU, a tough test for the Tigers new defensive coordinator.
