Clemson football’s Ronan Hanafin recently made a significant position change, moving from receiver to defensive back in August. Head coach Dabo Swinney elaborated on the transition, highlighting Hanafin’s natural talent on defense and his promising future with the Tigers. The switch came late in fall camp, giving Hanafin limited time to adapt. However, Swinney is confident that they’ve found the right fit for him.
“He had like a week of camp when we made the move,” Swinney explained on his radio show. Despite the limited preparation, Hanafin has shown an impressive ability to adapt. “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.”
Hanafin came to Clemson as a four-star recruit, known for his versatility at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Massachusetts. Initially a cornerback, he also played receiver and linebacker/safety during his high school career, even contributing as a punt returner. In his first season with Clemson, Hanafin appeared in 11 games, playing 41 offensive snaps and making a significant impact on special teams.
This season, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore quickly made his presence felt on defense. After a special teams tackle against Georgia, he recorded four tackles in his defensive debut against Appalachian State. Swinney is excited about Hanafin’s potential, describing him as a player who “throws his body around” and “absolutely just can fly.”
Swinney noted, “He’s very physical. He’s big, he’s strong. He’s about 215 pounds.” The coaching staff is currently teaching Hanafin the nickel position while also introducing him to some safety duties. “He’s a guy 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.”
While there’s still development ahead, Swinney is optimistic about what Hanafin can bring to the team in the future. “We’re trying to bring him along as much as we can,” Swinney said. “Just excited about what I think he can become for us.”