Ben Boulware brings championship toughness to Carolina’s defense

Ben Boulware, the physical middle linebacker from Clemson, has been selected by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL draft.

Boulware will get a chance to fulfill his childhood dream of playing for the Panthers, which was his favorite NFL team growing up.

“Linebacker wins” aren’t a statistic, but Boulware’s contributions to Clemson’s national championship this past season are what put him on the the board. Boulware was the emotional leader of the Clemson Tigers, and his play on the field was just as admirable. With six tackles (two for loss) and a pass defense, Boulware was dominant in the Tigers’ January victory over the Crimson Tide, earning game MVP honors.

Clemson’s championship meant a ton to the linebacker. A lifelong Clemson man who’d promised the Tigers would get revenge over the Tide, he got the national championship trophy tattooed on his Achilles after the Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide and called out his haters on social media with a picture of the tat after it was finished.

He plays with attitude and made a few controversial plays during the season, including one when he suplexed an opponent:

The former Tigers linebacker has the mental fortitude and physicality to succeed at the inside linebacker position for the Panthers.

Boulware brings more than just leadership and toughness to the table.

Instinctiveness

Boulware has a knack for making big plays. The 2016 Jack Lambert Award winner (awarded to the nation’s top linebacker) forced 12 turnovers in his four years with Clemson. He forced seven fumbles and picked off five passes. Boulware also recovered four fumbles and even scored a defensive touchdown.

The linebacker has an eye for the ball and always seemed to find himself near opposing players.

Mental capacity

Boulware’s willingness to do whatever it takes to contribute, whether it’s making a big play on defense or stepping in at special teams to help his team, is valuable. Boulware’s toughness and instincts make him a surefire candidate to become a dominant special teamer in the makings of a Bryan Braman.

Boulware is a ruthless player, but he has clear physical limitations. With Boulware’s lack of desired size and speed — he’s only 6’ tall, and his only NFL combine number that was above average for a linebacker was his three-cone drill — the linebacker will fight an uphill battle toward a role on defense. Special teams looks to be his likely role for a while.

While Boulware is an instinctive player, that only gets guys so far when it comes to the NFL. Because he’ll face competition from bigger, stronger and quicker athletes in the NFL, his size concerns are likely what caused his slide in the draft.