It’s obvious when a team loses a player like Ben Boulware, people expect a little bit of a drop off.
Boulware was an All-American at Clemson. He was voted as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s head coaches in 2016. He was a two-time All-ACC linebacker and three times he was named the Defensive MVP of a bowl game, including last year’s National Championship Game against Alabama.
However, there is an argument, despite losing Boulware, the Tigers’ overall depth might be better at its three linebacker positions in 2017. The Tigers return starters Dorian O’Daniel and Kendall Joseph at the strongside and weakside positions, while Tre Lamar or Chad Smith is ready to take over in the middle.