Clemson won’t be mentioned in the LBU levels with other programs, but there are some talented players who have manned the position as the best linebackers of the Tigers’ modern era.
Jeff Davis is the OG of Clemson linebackers and remains one of the most important players Clemson’s program has ever had. Ben Boulware helped lead Clemson to its 2016 national title and continues to have an impact on the program as a coach.
Keith Adams and Anthony Simmons were tackling machines. Isaiah Simmons was an unlimited talent.
And the highlight of Clemson linebacker play came in the late 1980s with Levon Kirkland, Ed McDaniel, Wayne Simmons, John Johnson and Doug Brewster all on the same depth chart and built on the days of Johnny Rembert and Andy Headen. My goodness.
Sammy Brown will try to join that list during his sophomore season in 2025 after limited play as a freshman but a clear emergence of his talent late in 2024. Wade Woodaz is likely to start alongside him. Transfer (yes, a transfer) Jeremiah Alexander and veteran Dee Crayton in the mix for regular snaps as well.
Statistics: Who are the best Clemson linebackers?
- Jeff Davis (1978-81) -– Career First Hits (295), Career Forced Fumbles Leader (10), Career Fumble Recoveries (8), three times had 20 or more tackles in a game, Tackles by a Senior in a Season Leader (175), Consecutive double-figure tackles in a game leader (19), third all-time tackles (469), captain of 1981 national championship team, college football hall of fame.
- Ben Boulware (2013-16) –- 352 tackles, 26 tackles for loss (TFL), 8-1/2 sacks
- Keith Adams (1998-2000) -– 379 tackles, 23 sacks, 54 TFL, 2X All-American
- Anthony Simmons (1995-97) –- 2nd highest tackles in season, 178 in 1996, 486 career tackles 2nd all time, 52 TFL fifth all time, 50th anniversary team ACC, 18-1/2 sacks
- Isaiah Simmons (2017-19) – 253 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 28.5 TFL, 22 PBU
- Levon Kirkland (1988-91) -– 273 tackles, 19 sacks, 40 TFL, Butkus finalist
- Ed McDaniel (1988-91) -– Career Forced Fumbles Leader (10)
- Bubba Brown (1976-79) –- Still the Tigers' all-time leading tackler, with 515
- Wayne Simmons (1989-92) –- Electric playmaking talent whose interception at Florida State keyed a big win in 1989.
- John Johnson -- Underrated talent among deep corps of big-play stars.
- Doug Brewster -- Keyed the Tigers' attack during some seasons when his talent was needed.
- Johnny Rembert (1981-82) –- Went on to standout NFL career.
- Andy Headen -- Unsung hero of 1981 championship team who earned NFL respect.
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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!
Clemson Defensive Tackles
Podcast, https://youtu.be/G7BSHStxmBA
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-tackles-2025-season-preview
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/peter-woods-demonte-capehart-power-clemsons-defensive-tackles-in-2025-quick-look
Clemson Defensive Ends
Podcast, https://youtu.be/kO_I18rNt_I
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-defensive-ends-daquan-bowers-vic-beasley-shone-in-death-valley-plus-t.j.-parker-leads-2025-tigers-des-season-preview
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/t.j.-parker-forges-clemson-defensive-ends-path-ahead-quick-look
Clemson Linebackers
Podcast, https://youtu.be/c8S1Ib1IFQk
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/levon-kirkland-jeff-davis-best-ever-clemson-linebackers-plus-tigers-2025-lbs-preview-includes-sammy-brown
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/sammy-brown-wade-woodaz-pace-clemson-linebackers-in-2025-quick-look
Clemson Safeties
Podcast, https://youtu.be/3qHwV1cCt84
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-safeties-brian-dawkins-set-standard-chased-by-others-including-khalil-barnes-in-2025
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/khalil-barnes-keys-clemsons-safeties-in-2025-quick-look
Clemson Cornerbacks
Podcast: https://youtu.be/gaSVwe_ueZM
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-cornerbacks-and-tigers-2025-season-preview
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/avieon-terrell-ashton-hampton-lead-clemson-cornerbacks-in-2025
Clemson Wide Receivers
Podcast, https://youtu.be/s0mQ70__Bq4
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-wide-receivers-2025-preview-tigers-wr-best-all-timer
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-wide-receiver-room-boasts-bryant-wesco-antonio-williams-t.j.-moore-and-more-in-2025-quick-look
Clemson Tight Ends
Podcast, https://youtu.be/5GS6EKIMhag
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-tight-ends-all-time-bennie-cunningham-dwayne-allen-tigers-2025-te-preview
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/olsen-patt-henry-steers-clemsons-tight-ends-in-2025-quick-look
Clemson Offensive Line
Podcast, https://youtu.be/pqoXa9D_LZA
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-ever-clemson-offensive-linemen-john-simpson-joe-bostic-plus-tigers-2025-season-preview
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/blake-miller-tristan-leigh-bookend-clemson-offensive-line-in-2025
Clemson Running Backs
Podcast, https://youtu.be/GTkz93TxyGI
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-running-backs-travis-etienne-will-shipley-followed-footsteps-of-c.j.-spiller-terry-allen-many-more
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/adam-randall-sparks-clemson-running-backs-in-2025-quick-look
Clemson Quarterbacks
Podcast, https://youtu.be/d2fX1Gs1oVg
Blog, Clemson’s best of all time: https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/best-clemson-quarterbacks-all-time-and-tigers-2025-qbs-preview
Blog, 2025 quick-look preview, https://clemsonkickoff.com/news/clemson-quarterback-cade-klubnik-critical-to-tigers-2025-quick-look