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Tom Allen Hired as Clemson DC by Dabo Swinney After Penn State Stint

Jan 14, 2025
STATE COLLEGE, PA - APRIL 13: Defensive coordinator Tom Allen looks on during the Penn State Spring Football Game at Beaver Stadium on April 13, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - APRIL 13: Defensive coordinator Tom Allen looks on during the Penn State Spring Football Game at Beaver Stadium on April 13, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Clemson Tigers have their next defensive coordinator.

Clemson announced Tuesday it hired former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen to the same position with head coach Dabo Swinney calling him "a great leader of men" and a "great football coach."

Grace Raynor of The Athletic reported he will make $1.9 million in 2025-26, $2 million in 2026-27 and $2.1 million in 2027-28.

This move means Allen will be out of the Big Ten for the first time since the 2015 season when he was the defensive coordinator at South Florida.

He was the head coach of Indiana for seven seasons from 2017 through 2023. While he was 33-49 overall and finished with a losing record in five of his seven years, he also took home the Big Ten Coach of the Year during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign by leading the Hoosiers to a 6-2 record.

However, the program quickly struggled after that and went 2-10 in 2021.

Penn State hired Allen as the defensive coordinator after he was fired by Indiana following the 2023 campaign. All he did in his one season with the Nittany Lions was direct a unit that finished seventh in the country in yards allowed per game and eighth in points allowed per game.

Penn State reached the Big Ten Championship Game and the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, where it lost to Oregon and Notre Dame, respectively. It also defeated SMU and Boise State during the run to the CFP semifinals and allowed a combined 24 points in those two victories.

Allen's defense turned heads when it held star Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to 3.5 yards per carry in the 17-point win.

That same defense notched two pick-sixes in the playoff win over SMU.

"He will hit the ground running this week to get started helping us achieve all of our goals in 2025," Swinney said in the press release. "He brings a ton of experience and was highly recommended by some of the best people in this business. He is obviously coming off of a great year as the defensive coordinator at Penn State, and we're excited to welcome him as our defensive coordinator here at Clemson."

Allen will look to help the Tigers return to being one of the sport's elite programs.

Clemson went to the CFP national championship game four times in a five-year span from the 2015 through 2019 seasons and won two of those titles. However, it has lost at least three games in each of the last four seasons.

It went 10-4 with an ACC title and one-game CFP appearance this past season.

Video: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik Announces Return for 2025 Season After CFP Appearance

Dec 30, 2024
AUSTIN, TEXAS - DECEMBER 21: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Texas Longhorns in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - DECEMBER 21: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Texas Longhorns in the Playoff First Round Game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

After leading Clemson to an appearance in the College Football Playoff this season, junior quarterback Cade Klubnik isn't ready to end his college career.

Klubnik announced on Monday that he will be returning for his senior season with a video posted to social media:

ESPN's Pete Thamel noted that Klubnik is "part of a strong nucleus... that should have Clemson projected as a Top 5 team in 2025."

Klubnik took over as the Tigers' full-time starter toward the end of the 2022 season when he replaced DJ Uiagalelei in the Orange Bowl and hasn't looked back. He turned a corner this season, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 463 rushing yards and seven more scores.

Clemson finished the year with a 10-4 record after losing to Texas in the CFP first round. Klubnik, who was playing in his hometown of Austin, completed 26 of his 43 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the 38-24 loss.

"I'm hurting a lot," Klubnik said after the game. "It was fun to come home, but it was not a vacation. It was time to come win a football game, and we didn't do that."

Despite the loss, Klubnik received praise from Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney for his maturation into a dependable starter.

"That young man has grown into an amazing leader," Swinney said of Klubnik. "You're never out of a game with him."

Clemson will continue building around Klubnik as it tries to return to national championship contention in 2025.

Phil Mafah NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Clemson RB

Dec 18, 2024
BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 09: Clemson Tigers running back Phil Mafah (7) rushes upfield attempting to evade Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam Jr. (22) during a college football game between the Clemson Tigers and the Virginia Tech Hokies on November 9, 2024, at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - NOVEMBER 09: Clemson Tigers running back Phil Mafah (7) rushes upfield attempting to evade Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam Jr. (22) during a college football game between the Clemson Tigers and the Virginia Tech Hokies on November 9, 2024, at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'1

WEIGHT: 234

HAND: 9½"

ARM: 31⅜"

WINGSPAN: 77⅝

POSITIVES

— Big, sturdy build with a physical and punishing downhill running style.

— A good combination of patience and vision to navigate the front seven and find daylight.

— Effective receiver out of the backfield, functionality as an outlet for his QB in the screen game.

— Scheme versatility, even experience in both zone and gap concepts.

NEGATIVES

— Limited lateral agility and open field elusiveness to make defenders miss.

— Limited twitch and explosiveness in his athletic profile.

— Nagging shoulder injury, needed surgery after the season.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 24, 2002

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— 4-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Third-Team All-ACC selection

OVERALL

Phil Mafah is the epitome of a physical and punishing running back.

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As a runner, Mafah is a strong downhill with a plus-level contact balance. He runs with power and physicality after breaking through the first level of the defense. Mafah is a forward-leaning runner who is rarely knocked backward with momentum. He runs through would-be arm tackles and has a strong stiff arm to keep pursuing defenders at bay. He thrives, pressing the line of scrimmage with patience and good vision to find open lanes. Mafah sports a strong and sturdy frame to absorb and dish out punishment.

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For a bigger body RB, Mafah displays good footwork to exchange gaps and find alternative routes to daylight. He is a patient runner who does not speed up his run pacing. He follows blockers well, especially on pin/pull concepts with lead blockers, before accelerating through the void created. Mafah has lateral cuts/side steps to avoid a defender upfield. He processes information well, reading and cutting off upfield defender's leverage or weight distribution.

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Mafah is a surprisingly effective pass catcher out of the backfield. He is functional in space, catching the football with confidence and reliable hands. He is effective in the screen game due to his patience and catching ability. His burst/acceleration through traffic into the open field is good and puts defensive backs in conflict to make business decisions as he approaches at full speed.

In terms of overall athleticism, Mafah is not an explosive athlete. He lacks a dynamic first step or plant step to explode past quick-penetrating defenders. If caught in the backfield, Mafah does not have many answers to combat it. Against alley defenders, he heavily relies on physicality and power to force missed tackles. He is not a finesse or elusive mover to break defenders down one-on-one.

Overall, Phil Mafah projects as a potential starting running back. His athletic profile will not be for every organization in the NFL. His ability to run with power and patience bodes well as a short-yardage and red-zone RB. He is a talented prospect, but team fit will be important for Mafah's NFL success.

GRADE: 6.9 (Potential Role Player—4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 137

POSITION RANK: RB12

PRO COMPARISON: D'Onta Foreman

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

Cade Klubnik NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Clemson QB

Dec 18, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the second half of the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers warms up during the second half of the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 205

POSITIVES

— Good arm talent/strength to access and attack all levels of the defense.

— Great athletic profile; a true dual-threat who extends the offensive playbook and play calling.

— Improved deep ball passer, figuring out when to use touch and strength.

NEGATIVES

— Consistent decision-making when facing pressure in the pocket.

— Post-snap defensive coverage recognition; can be struggle to process info quickly.

— Cleaning up turnover-worthy plays.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 10, 2003

— 5-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2024: Honorable-Mention All-ACC

OVERALL

Cade Klubnik is a gifted quarterback with a dual-threat skill set fitting for today's NFL.

Klubnik has improved this season with diagnosing and reading defenses pre-snap. When the defensive coverage stays the same after the snap, Klubnik attacks the weaknesses he identified before the snap. The game has slowed down for him more than last season.

As a passer, he possesses a good arm to make high-end throws from the pocket and on the move. Klubnik delivers middle-of-the-field passes with good velocity and zip. In the short and intermediate portions of the field, Klubnik can drive passes into tight windows. His ability to make throws when flushed out of the pocket has been great. Klubnik uses his athleticism to turn nothing into something and help pull the offense out of a hole.

His accuracy is improving, but still a work in progress. Klubnik can put the ball where his receivers need it to be. In clean pockets, he has been good at pushing the ball down the field accurately. Klubnik is a dual-threat QB who makes plays with his legs in various ways. He has multiple explosive/long runs this season.

Klubnik still struggles when defensive pressure gets home. If he is not able to counter with his athleticism, his decision-making remains questionable. He will put the ball in harm's way for potential turnovers. Klubnik is still learning to trust his eyes and progressions. There are moments where he is stuck on a covered receiver but does not pivot to find a wide-open receiver down the field. Klubnik's next step of development is handling post-snap defensive rotations and changes. He excels when the defense runs what they display pre-snap. When the picture changes, Klubnik struggles to process the new information quickly.

Overall, Cade Klubnik is a talented quarterback prospect with serious starting potential. Klubnik's dual-threat skill set will give defenses plenty to worry about. As he continues to develop his passing game from the pocket, Klubnik offers a potential franchise QB ceiling.

GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 58

POSITION RANK: QB6

PRO COMPARISON: A more athletic Baker Mayfield

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

ESPN: Clemson's Dabo Swinney Reacts to Texas Game, 'Gonna Meet Matthew McConaughey!''

Dec 8, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 07: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is all smiles after the win as he makes his way to the podium during the ACC championship football game between the SMU Mustangs and the Clemson Tigers on December 7, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 07: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney is all smiles after the win as he makes his way to the podium during the ACC championship football game between the SMU Mustangs and the Clemson Tigers on December 7, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has more than just a playoff game to be excited for.

His Tigers earned the final spot in the College Football Playoff with their ACC Championship victory over SMU Saturday night. They will head to Austin to take on Texas in the first round and Molly McGrath of ESPN reported that Swinney excitedly exclaimed "I'm gonna meet Matthew McConaughey" after hearing the placement.

McConaughey is a professor of practice at Texas and is a consistent presence on the Longhorns sidelines during the season. The actor is also an alum of the University.

While Swinney may have the opportunity to meet McConaughey, the mood may be a bit less jovial by the time that meet-up occurs.

Texas fell to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, which ended the Longhorns bid for a first-round bye. They finished the season 11-2 with both losses coming at the hands of the Bulldogs.

Clemson, on the other hand, went 10-3 and needed the Conference Championship victory to qualify. The Tigers lost to the same Georgia team at the start of the season and picked up additional losses to Louisville and South Carolina.

Texas should enter the game as the favorite but Clemson's big victory over SMU will provide it with some positive momentum ahead of the matchup.

Dabo Swinney Shouts Out Syracuse HC for Miami Upset After Clemson Wins ACC Title

Dec 8, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts before the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts before the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The tables have turned just a week after Syracuse head coach Fran Brown gave a shoutout to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney after the Orange's upset of Miami helped the Tigers punch their ticket to the ACC title game.

"Hey Dabo Swinney, congrats," Brown said after the win. "I got you in baby."

In response, after No. 17 Clemson's 34-31 upset victory over the No. 8 SMU Mustangs on Saturday night, Swinney referenced Brown during his postgame remarks.

"I want to give Fran Brown a shoutout! We appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight," Swinney said, per Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer.

Swinney also advocated for SMU to make the College Football Playoff:

"What a game. Listen that's a playoff football team," Swinney said post-game. "SMU, they better be in the dang playoffs. What a comeback by those guys."

Last weekend, the Tigers relied on a Miami loss to secure their place in the ACC Championship Game against SMU. Syracuse's victory ensured Clemson's advancement to the conference title game, leaving Miami out of contention, falling to third.

Clemson jumped out to a commanding 21-7 lead in the first quarter and extended it to 24-7 by halftime on Saturday against SMU. The Mustangs mounted a spirited comeback, scoring 24 second-half points and tying the game with just 16 seconds left in regulation.

However, the effort fell short as Clemson's kicker, Nolan Hauser, drilled a 56-yard field goal as time expired to secure the victory.

Dabo Swinney, Clemson Win ACC Title vs. SMU as CFB Fans Hype 2024 CFP Bracket Chaos

Dec 8, 2024
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers reacts during the second quarter of the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers reacts during the second quarter of the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Clemson is headed to the College Football Playoff.

Faced with a win-and-in situation in the ACC Championship, Clemson did just that by earning a 34-31 victory over SMU via a 56-yard game-winning field goal from Nolan Hauser.

The Tigers jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead and would enter the final quarter up 31-10. However, the Mustangs put together an excellent fourth quarter to nearly pull of the victory.

Clemson produced 326 offensive yards and forced two SMU turnovers. The rushing attack had just 62 yards but quarterback Cade Klubnik took charge in leading the offense.

Klubnik went 24-of-41 for 262 yards with four touchdowns on the day. His connection with wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. was especially potent as the true freshman had eight catches for 142 yards and two touchdown.

Klubnik tossed three of his touchdowns in the first quarter, becoming the first player to throw three touchdown passes in a single quarter in the history of the ACC Championship Game.

However, the hero of the day was Hauser, who hit the longest field goal of his career and the longest in ACC Championship history at the most crucial time.

Fans took to social media to praise his clutch kick.

The Clemson victory also complicates the playoff field selection for Sunday. Clemson would not have qualified with a loss but their inclusion will mean that a team that was in line to make the playoff will be left out.

That could be SMU, who fall to 11-2 and were ranked No. 8 heading into the game. It also could be Alabama, who entered the weekend as the last team expected to qualify and did not play in a Conference Championship Game.

Fans took to social media to revel in the chaos and debate who should be included.

It will be an interesting debate among the playoff committee and the 2023 exclusion of ACC Champion Florida State has many wondering if a similar decision will be made.

The field will be finalized on Sunday and will be released at noon E.T.

Dabo Swinney Ripped by Fans for Blowing Clemson's CFP Bracket Spot vs. S. Carolina

Nov 30, 2024
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on from the sidelines in the second quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers looks on from the sidelines in the second quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

A win in Week 14 would have given Clemson quite a case for inclusion in the College Football Playoff.

Instead, South Carolina played spoiler and improved its playoff chances in the process.

The Tigers entered Saturday with a 9-2 record and while they were not likely going to make the ACC Championship, a win over a strong Gamecocks team would have made their resume pretty solid for the committee's consideration.

Clemson produced 419 offensive yards and forced three Gamecock turnovers. Quarterback Cade Klubnik went 24-of-36 for 280 yards but tossed a costly interception in the final minute to seal the loss.

South Carolina produced 431 total yards and forced two Tigers turnovers. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers went 13-of-21 for 164 yards and an interception but his dominance came from his rushing game. Sellers had 16 carries for 166 yards with two touchdowns.

While the victory was a strong one for the Gamecocks, the Tigers' failure to close things out crept up on them again and figures to relegate them to bowl game status.

Fans took to social media to rip into Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and debate his job security.

The Tigers have lost three games for the fourth consecutive season and it looks like the glory days of the late 2010s may have officially passed the program by. While a change at head coach could be intriguing, the price may be too high.

Swinney has a $60 million buyout after 2024 and is under contract through 2031. While the school could look to pay it, the likely scenario is that Swinney returns for next season and beyond.

Dabo Swinney on NIL, Revenue Sharing: 'Nobody's Gonna Have More Money Than Clemson'

Nov 26, 2024
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers meets fans during Tiger Walk before taking on the Citadel Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers meets fans during Tiger Walk before taking on the Citadel Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has not always been the biggest proponent for paying college football players and embracing what is to come in the sport, but he seemed quite optimistic about the Tigers' overall outlook heading into the future during a Tuesday press conference.

As Grace Raynor of The Athletic relayed, Swinney opened up about topics such as revenue sharing with athletes, the transfer portal, NIL opportunities and more.

"Nobody's gonna have more money than Clemson. Nobody," he said of impending revenue sharing. "For the first time ever. That'll be good."

As Raynor explained, the college sports world is waiting for approval of the House settlement that will allow athletic departments to share 22 percent of their annual revenue with athletes. The cap is expected to be at $20.5 million per school, and that money can be distributed to various athletes across various sports of the school's choosing.

"Those are decisions that you have to make year-to-year but everybody will have the same money, and when I say nobody's gonna have more money than Clemson, that's because of the commitment from our administration," Swinney said.

There will also be opportunities for athletes outside of the revenue sharing, but the Tigers head coach called NIL "a challenge" for his program and encouraged fans and alumni to donate.

Being so open about the need for more money to pay players is quite the shift for Swinney, who famously said in 2014 he might quit college football entirely with such developments.

"As far as paying players, professionalizing college athletics, that's where you lose me," he said at the time. "I'll go do something else because there's enough entitlement in this world as there is."

Swinney has also received plenty of criticism for his hesitancy to use the transfer portal in the new age of college football. While he didn't suggest he is suddenly going to start bringing in tons of players from the portal in the future, he did advocate for some changes to the overall calendar.

"To me there should just be one portal window—it's in the spring and you're done with it," he said. "If we had just a little more common sense we could fix it. But it's where we are."

Having just one spring portal window instead of another one in December would mean coaches and teams who are actively preparing for College Football Playoff games and bowl games while recruiting high school classes won't also have to worry about players on the current roster transferring out before postseason games.

Swinney also called the idea of capping rosters at 105 players with 85 scholarships "the worst thing" because of the lost opportunities for walk-ons and the greater availability of players for practices over the course of a long season.

All of this comes ahead of a massive game against rival South Carolina for the Tigers.

If Clemson wins, it will have a solid chance to make the CFP. It would also have a chance to make the CFP if Syracuse defeats Miami and opens up a spot for Swinney's team in the ACC Championship Game against SMU.

It wasn't long ago the Tigers were one of the gold standards of college football. They reached four national championship games and won two of them during the five seasons from 2015 to 2019.

Yet they missed the CFP entirely in each of the past three seasons and failed to win double-digit games last season for the first time since 2010. It wasn't difficult to make an argument that the program was trending in the wrong direction, especially with other powerhouses relying on things like the transfer portal.

However, Clemson has the opportunity to build momentum and perhaps reach the CFP with a strong finish this season. And Swinney sounds optimistic about what the future holds, which is surely welcome news for Tigers fans.

Blake Miller NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Clemson OT

Nov 13, 2024
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) blocks during the AFLAC Kickoff college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs on August 31, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller (78) blocks during the AFLAC Kickoff college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs on August 31, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

HEIGHT: 6'6"

WEIGHT: 310

POSITIVES

— Utilizes effective high-low hand carriage and approach in pass protection to strike and latch the outer pec of rushers with a responsive catch hand to corral his target

— Capable anchor to regain balance and die slowly after initially getting jolted against the bull-rush

— Active drag hand with good spacing to overtake and sort out basic line games and stunts

— Churns and strains to capitalize on drive-block momentum to displace and steer defenders away from the ball

— Does a decent job on angle-drive blocks of walling off and securing rush lanes

NEGATIVES

— Upright playing style with shaky body control leads to leaning and consistently being overextended, especially against the push-pull technique

— Struggles to timely adjust and stay in front of moves across his face in the run and pass game

— Will drop his outside foot and open his hips early against upfield, high-side rushes to create a soft inside shoulder and two-way gos

— Takes poor angles to backers on climbs leaving him routinely off target at the second-level

NOTES

— Born Feb. 25, 2004

— 3-star recruit from the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— First Clemson non-specialist to start every game of the season in both his freshman and sophomore years since Clelin Ferrell from 2016-17 after Ferrell redshirted in 2015

OVERALL

Blake Miller is a three-year starter at right tackle inside Clemson's balanced, multiple run scheme. Miller has well-rounded dispersion of weight on his frame with solid arm length, adequate athletic ability and play strength.

Miller wins as a run blocker with a solid initial burst out of his stance to get into his fits quickly on angle-drive blocks and wall off opponents on quick-hitting runs. He churns and runs his feet through contact to utilize a defender's momentum against themselves once caught leaning, which leads to some flashes of displacement and an occasional full-body finish. He struggles mightily with sustaining blocks against the push-pull technique and sudden moves across his face due to persistently high pad level. He takes erratic angles on climbs to the second level, which saps his ability to track targets.

In pass protection, Miller shows adequate range to get to his spot on time with effective high-low hand carriage to strike and latch the outer pec of the upfield and high-side rushes with a responsive catch hand to corral his target. This active catch hand also translates to dragging and being able to sort out line games and stunts. While Miller has some flashes of finding his anchor late against power moves, he is routinely jolted back against stutter bulls and speed-to-power and will bite, drift and create soft edges when being set up by stutters and hesitations.

Overall, Miller is a young and experienced right tackle prospect with a sound approach in pass protection and enough physical traits to function and compete as a backup in the NFL especially if he can show some positional versatility during the all-star game circuit.

GRADE: 5.9 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 126

POSITION RANK: OT10

PRO COMPARISON: Blake Hance

Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

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