Swinney Bullish on Potential of ‘One of Those Rare Guys'

Dabo Swinney confirmed a couple of weeks ago that Ronan Hanafin had switched positions for Clemson, moving from receiver to defensive back in August.

Last week, the Tigers’ head coach spoke more about Hanafin’s transition to the defensive side of the ball and raved about the talented sophomore.

Since the position switch didn’t happen until late in fall camp, it put Hanafin behind from a knowledge standpoint. But Hanafin is a natural on defense, according to Swinney, who sees a very bright future ahead for the versatile athlete on that side of the ball.

“Bless his heart – he had like a week of camp when we made the move,” Swinney said on his radio show last week. “But we’ve got him in the right spot, and this kid plays at a different gear than everybody else on the field. He’s just one of those rare guys, and I felt like that’s what I would see when we moved him. He’s just very natural.”

Clemson’s Ronan Hanafin (15) during the Tigers’ opening day of fall camp Friday, August 1, 2024. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider

A former four-star prospect per multiple recruiting services, Hanafin contributed in a variety of ways at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Massachusetts, beginning his prep career at cornerback but playing receiver and linebacker/safety for most of his career along with returning punts.

As a true freshman for the Tigers in 2023, Hanafin played 41 offensive snaps over 11 games in addition to his key role on special teams. This season, the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder posted a special teams tackle against Georgia before tallying four tackles in his defensive debut vs. Appalachian State.

It’ll take time for Hanafin to develop, but Swinney is bullish on his potential and what he can bring to the table for the Tigers as a DB in the future.

“He just throws his body around. He absolutely just can fly. He’s very physical. He’s big, he’s strong. He’s about 215 pounds,” Swinney said. “So, he’s a guy, we’re trying to teach him the nickel, and he’s learning a little bit of safety as well. But he’s a kid that we think is really going to grow into a heck of a player for us. He’s just a sophomore, so he’s got it all in front of him.

“But we’re trying to bring him along as much as we can. … Just excited about what I think he can become for us.”