Best-ever Clemson safeties: Brian Dawkins set standard chased by others including Khalil Barnes in 2025

Written by Staff Report | August 4, 2025 | 11:21 PM

When we talk about safeties at Clemson, two names jump out among a talented group of players: Terry Kinard and Brian Dawkins.

Kinard was a ballhawk and a hitter and helped lead Clemson’s dominant defense when the program won its first national title in 1981. He remains the career leader in interceptions (17) and takeaways (19) and paired with linebacker Jeff Davis as the true leaders of that Clemson defense.

And no one has ever been a bigger hitter at Clemson than Dawkins, who might have been an even better player in the NFL than he was at Clemson (if that’s possible). A true leader and inspirational spark for every team he played for, Dawkins is Clemson’s only Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Amid change in 2025, Khalil Barnes’ playmaking abilities will remain a constant. Kylon Griffin, Ricardo Jones and Ronan Hanafin are among the candidates to join the rotation alongside him.

Statistics: Who are the best-ever Clemson safeties?

Brian Dawkins (1993-95) – 247 tackles, 11 INT, 3x All-ACC, NFL Hall of Fame
Terry Kinard (1978-82) – Ring of Honor, first-team All-American, first-round NFL Draft pick, Career INT Leader (17), Career Takeaways (19), 294 tackles (most by DB), 17 INT, unanimous All-American
Antwan Edwards (1995-98) – First-round NFL Draft pick, 219 tackles, 8 INT, 35 pass break-ups (PBU), 1,169 return yards
DeAndre McDaniel (2007-10) – First-team All-American, 296 tackles, 15 INT, 20 PBU, first-team All-American
Robert O’Neal (1989-92) – 8 INT as a freshman in 1989 w/ 12 total, 37 PBU, three-time all-ACC selection
K’von Wallace (2016-19) – 178 tackles including 81 in senior season, 21 PBU, 5 INT, 36 starts in 59 games, INT in 2018 on Texas A&M 2-pt. attempt in closing moments of game to preserve win (also 7 tackles and 2 PBU that day)
Rashard Hall (2009-12) – 14 INT, tied 4th all time
Michael Hamlin (2005-08) – One of 5 players with a 3-INT game; 14 INT, tied 4th all time; 43 career starts tops all Clemson safeties; 181 career tackles
Jackie Calvert (1948-50) – First-team All-American, part of undefeated 1948 team that won Gator Bowl, captain on undefeated team in 1950 that finished 10th to become Clemson’s first top-10 team, 5.92 rushing yards per attempt, which was school record as of his death in 2011
Robert Carswell (1997-2000) – 374 tackles (10th all time), 7 INT (6 in ‘99), 21 TFL

We're glad you found us -- be sure to watch on YouTube so you can share your reactions in the comments, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff!

2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position

Each podcast episode covers both the season preview and the best all-time Clemson Tigers at each position, while each blogs is shorter and only covers either the best ever or the 2025 preview. Here are all the links you could need!

View full post

Best-ever Clemson safeties: Brian Dawkins set standard chased by others including Khalil Barnes in 2025

Statistics: Who are the best-ever Clemson safeties?

2025 Clemson Football Season Previews with Best-All-Time Tigers by Position

Clemson Defensive Tackles

Clemson Defensive Ends

Clemson Linebackers

Clemson Safeties

Clemson Cornerbacks

Clemson Wide Receivers

Clemson Tight Ends

Clemson Offensive Line

Clemson Running Backs

Clemson Quarterbacks