TAMPA, Fla. -- Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware approached his designated podium for media day with white ear buds in and quietly took a seat. He pulled his ear buds out and stared straight ahead without a trace of emotion; odd considering Boulware has served as his team’s emotional leader for two years running.
The barrage of questions began, about stopping Alabama, getting a chance at revenge, slowing down Jalen Hurts. Boulware answered with one cliché after another, and it all started to feel like Boulware had been replaced with somebody else.
Gone was the swashbuckling, no-care-in-the-world, I’ll-say-as-I please Boulware.