UNSTABLE: Clemson Tigers’ Defense RELIES on Sammy Brown, Will Linebackers STEP UP or Falter?

Clemson Tigers face a razor-thin margin for error on defense ahead of the 2026 season. Can the revamped linebacker unit—centered around rising star Sammy Brown—hold the line after high-profile departures like Luke Forelli and failures in the transfer portal? Morgan Thomas confronts lingering concerns about Clemson’s linebacker depth, questions Ben Boulware’s coaching impact, and highlights the team’s gamble on defensive line and secondary reloads.As college football’s pay-to-play landscape shifts, Clemson must adapt or risk falling behind big spenders like LSU and Ohio State. Will Coach Dabo Swinney embrace a survivor’s mindset, focusing on roster development over superstar recruiting? Morgan Thomas draws intriguing parallels to Brad Brownell’s success with scrappy basketball teams and explores how Clemson can compete by doubling down on culture, identity, and player development instead of chasing first-round draft picks.00:00 College Football's Inequality Problem04:37 "College Football Playoff Expansion Debate"09:20 Linebacker Concerns and Opportunities14:19 Run Game Strength, Pass Weakness18:15 Kobe McLeod's Role Challenge26:10 "High Stakes, Low Returns?"28:17 Clemson's Challenges and Brad Brownell32:05 Reinventing Clemson Football IdentityEverydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.MazdaLike our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.Turbo TaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcastFanDuelIf you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.