Clemson’s hire of Tom Allen got high marks from this college football insider.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel commented on the Tigers bringing in Allen as their new defensive coordinator, and Thamel believes it’s a very big get for Dabo Swinney and company.

“It’s really a huge hire for the Tigers,” Thamel said in a recent episode of ESPN’s College Football Live. “After getting fired at Indiana, in one season at Penn State, Allen totally had that defense playing at one of the highest levels in all of college football. They were top 10 in total defense, scoring defense, etc.

“Look for Clemson to be in that early top five conversation next year, too, especially with Allen at DC.”

With Allen as the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at Penn State in 2024, the Nittany Lions finished seventh in the nation in total defense (294.8 yards per game) and eighth in the nation in scoring defense (16.5 points per game). Allen’s unit also finished second nationally in tackles for loss (119) and fifth in sacks (44).

The 54-year-old Allen now joins Clemson with 30-plus years of coaching experience, including eight years at Indiana, where he first served as its associate head coach/defense in 2016 prior to seven seasons (2017-23) as the Hoosiers’ head coach.

Allen coached four All-Americans on Indiana’s defense, and players he coached at IU also accounted for 35 All-Big Ten selections. Then, at Penn State, Allen helped guide defensive end Abdul Carter to unanimous All-America honors.

Allen will have plenty of talent at his disposal as he leads the Clemson defense in 2025. One of the most promising pieces of the Tiger D is Peter Woods, and Thamel is bullish on the potential of the rising junior lineman under Allen’s tutelage.

“They return a host of star players on defense, starting with tackle Peter Woods,” Thamel said. “He’ll be one of the five best players in college football next season.”