CLEMSON – Throughout post-practice interviews this spring, one player was consistently mentioned by defensive coordinator Tom Allen and head coach Dabo Swinney. In his sophomore season, Allen coached Washington and the rest of the Nittany Lions to a College Football Playoff Semifinal appearance before taking the Clemson job. After extensive Washington-focused praise stemmed from Clemson coaches, especially after his solid Orange and White Spring Game performance, all communication went silent with media members ahead of the Tigers’ summer workouts. Though he is new to Clemson, Washington will be expected to be a leader this year just like junior veteran Ashton Hampton will be. While it is a different team at a different school that Clemson will be playing, the ACC’s Tigers can expect a challenge defensively.