Linebackers are at the heart of Clemson defense

Brent Venables tapped the table twice as he began to discuss linebackers Ben Boulware and B.J. Goodson, a subtle almost reflexive knock as if for luck.

There’s never been a hint as Clemson defensive coordinator that Venables has a superstitious bone in his body – and he’d probably set that chiseled jaw and mock the notion – but without an apparent safety net at linebacker, top-ranked Clemson might need a pinch of luck to complete the journey to the playoffs beginning Saturday at Syracuse.

Boulware and Goodson are the left chambers in the heart of the defense, impact players with nonstop motors. At crunch time they’re around the ball, and the numbers are indicative of the relentlessness and instincts that define good linebackers.

On one of the nation’s most efficient defenses, Boulware and Goodson are glue, as critical on that side of the ball as the quarterback to the offense.

“From a mental standpoint, they really allow us to have flexibility and do what we do scheme-wise,” Venables said. “They’re not limited in what they can do or can’t do. They do what we need them to do and then some. They take a lot of pride in how they go to work every day and bring guys along with them.

“I can’t ask enough of them. They just keep responding,” he said. “There are a lot of pieces to it, and they’re real critical to giving us the chance to be successful.”

Boulware and Goodson are two peas from different pods, but they found common ground in their passion for the game, the position and the process, Venables said.

“B.J. loves to play. He’s a little more emotional on game day, but he’s still much more calm than Ben,” he said. “One of (Ben’s) strongest attributes is that he’s an emotional, very intense competitor.

“They’re very intelligent, very prideful (and) very tough. They both love the weight room. They love the work and the grind.”

There was never any doubt what Clemson was getting in Boulware, who seems to live as he plays, wide open with no apologies. To an old-school fan, Boulware’s style and demeanor are reminiscent of Jack “Hacksaw” Reynolds, middle linebacker behind the L.A. Rams’ Fearsome Foursome and later an early component of the San Francisco 49ers’ dynasty.

Goodson’s maturity over the past year has been huge. Venables was concerned in August by the options at linebacker after Kendall Joseph was injured. Joseph set the bar during the offseason “and it wasn’t close,” Venables said.

Boulware and Goodson had been the depth at linebacker the past two seasons. With Joseph down there were no options, they would need to hold it together and Goodson’s development would be critical.

“There are a couple of guys every year you don’t know how they were going to grow, evolve, respond,” Venables said. “If they didn’t just meet your expectations, we were going to have problems.

“B.J. has really done a terrific job this year executing, leading, making all the plays he’s supposed to. It seems as though each and every week he’s made some plays I would term above and beyond … special.”

Goodson was twice named ACC linebacker of the week, after the Notre Dame and Florida State games.

On a defense that has limited opponents to 13 first downs, 20.8 percent on third down and forced more than 6 three-and-outs, their production is significant. Boulware leads the team in total tackles – by one – and Goodson is second. Boulware has caused two fumbles and recovered one. Goodson recovered two fumbles and caused one. Each has an interception.

“It’s like the quarterback. That’s what those guys are,” Venables said. “When a guy isn’t in this gap or the other gap, a lot of bad things come happen. And sometimes when they are bad things can happen, but those guys are the glue.”