While in California training for the 2025 NFL Draft, Barrett Carter had heard rave reviews from former Clemson teammates about new defensive coordinator Tom Allen.
When Carter made his way back to Tiger Town for Clemson’s Pro Day last month, the former Clemson All-American linebacker was able to witness for himself why current Clemson players are so fond of Allen.
Carter joined Clemson alums Kelly Gramlich and Eric Mac Lain on the Gramlich & Mac Lain show and shared his perspective on the 55-year-old Allen — the 33-year coaching veteran who joined the Tigers’ staff in January, replacing Wes Goodwin as Clemson’s defensive coordinator after most recently serving as Penn State’s DC/linebackers coach in 2024.
“First off, from Coach Allen, I went to the practice – I can’t remember the day – it was the week leading up to Pro Day, it was on a Saturday,” Carter recalled. “I went to that practice, and that was my first look at him. And obviously I’ve been talking to the guys since I’ve been in California, and they’ve all been telling me how much they love him and just how intense he is and how much of a great man he is.
“But I got to see it firsthand, and that energy that he brings is different – like, different. It’s truly contagious.”
Carter could hear Allen’s energy loud and clear when he was on the mic during the spring practice.
“Like, he has his own microphone at practice, and that’s a new thing for me because usually it’s just Coach Swinney with the microphone,” Carter said. “But he has his own microphone, and he’s yelling, he’s screaming, he’s getting excited when guys make plays. But he has a different type of energy, a different type of vibe to him, and the guys really feed off of that, and that’s what I saw firsthand.”
Carter pointed out an example of Clemson’s defense feeding off Allen’s energy.
“Like, Clemson Football posted it (on social media) – AV (junior cornerback Avieon Terrell) got a pick, and the whole defense stormed the field,” Carter said. “That was something super cool to see, just from AV, but just to see that energy, just caring throughout the whole defense and seeing them making plays and having fun.”
Carter also gave his thoughts on legendary former Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware, who joined the Clemson staff last season and is now in his first year as the Tigers’ linebackers coach.
Boulware, a critical defensive cog and key leader on Clemson’s 2016 national championship team, was a big help to Carter during his senior season in 2024, as well as guys like then-freshman linebacker Sammy Brown.
“Coach Boulware, having been around last year, my senior year, was so helpful,” Carter said. “Just having a guy who’s been in my shoes, who’s been the senior leader, who’s been a national champion, who brought Clemson back to the top of the mountain – having him around and just picking his brain was so helpful for me, also so helpful for these young guys, too, who maybe are freshmen, like Sammy Brown coming in and getting to learn from a legend at this school. That was truly, it was special to have him around.”
Carter believes the future is very bright for Boulware as a coach.
“Having him as a linebacker coach now, those guys, they’re going to be at another level this year and I can’t wait to see it,” Carter said. “But Ben Boulware, he’s going to be a great coach for years to come, for sure.”