Every team carries scars from the past. For Clemson’s defense, those scars have become fuel, and sophomore safety Kylon Griffin is one of the players embracing that challenge. Speaking about the defense’s mindset going into the season, Griffin said the lessons from last year have shaped the unit in meaningful ways.
“It’s always fire to the fuel,” Griffin explained. The mistakes, the tough losses, and the missed opportunities have all become motivation. For Griffin, the question is not whether the defense will grow, but how. “What’s gonna be different this year is how much we emphasize our takeaways,” he said. “We want to focus on getting better in every area, tackling, man-to-man, and everything.”
Griffin’s focus is personal as well. He sees each practice as an opportunity to sharpen his game and push the players around him. But much of that energy comes from the addition of new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Griffin lit up when describing Allen’s impact.
In one practice, after a big play, Allen tackled Griffin to the ground on the sideline out of pure joy. It wasn’t discipline or anger; instead, it was excitement. “He brings real fire to everyone,” Griffin said. “He’s a real leader to us, the offense, and special teams. He lifts us up.”
Griffin noted that the defense’s overall effort has already been “cranked up” under Allen. Part of that comes from Allen’s philosophy of making the game simpler. “Dumbing down and simplifying things makes it easier to play,” Griffin explained. “The simpler you can make things, the better you’ll play.”
That clarity has been especially important as the defense works to replace former leader RJ Mickens. Griffin acknowledged the challenge of losing such an important voice, but said the solution has been collective. “The whole defense is pushing one another. We pull each other up,” he said.
For Griffin, leadership has also become part of his role. He does not see himself as someone who yells or calls teammates out publicly. Instead, he prefers a more personal approach. “I try to pick people up and coach them up off to the side,” Griffin said. “I don’t want to throw anyone in the fire, but I want them to understand.”
That focus on details, encouragement, and accountability runs through the defense’s identity. It is not about one star or one leader filling a void. It is about building a culture where every player takes responsibility and supports the guy next to him.
Griffin knows the scars from last season will not be forgotten, but to him, that is the point. They are reminders of what can happen if focus slips, and they are motivators for what can happen if effort stays consistent. “The effort has been cranked up,” he repeated, emphasizing that the energy in practice is unlike anything he has seen before.
From tackling fundamentals to man coverage technique, from leadership off the field to a new level of intensity on it, Griffin believes the defense is headed in the right direction. With Allen’s fiery presence and a collective commitment to growth, the Tigers are determined to turn last year’s setbacks into this year’s strength.
For Griffin, those defensive scars are not burdens. They are the fuel that will drive Clemson this season.
