Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Aug 7, 2021, 12:07 PM

The current weigh-in data got me thinking about the difference in the size of players we have now vs. when I was at Clemson. I was good friends with several players, and being 6-0, 165, they seemed huge. However, they don't compare to the size of our players today.

I used the data from my 1981 NC program (86 players) and compared it to the soon-to-be 2021 NC team's spring depth chart with current weights, if different (80 players).

I broke the averages down as shown below, but had to make allowances for some position terminology that has changed.

1981 QBs (4) - 6-0 1/2, 181#
2021 QBs (3) - 6-3, 228# - (taller and 47 pounds heavier)

1981 RBs (8) - 6-0 7/8, 194#
2021 RBs (4) - 5-11, 208# - (shorter, but 14 pounds heavier)

1981 TEs (4) - 6-3 1/4, 215#
2021 TEs (5) - 6-5 1/4, 245# - (taller and 30 pounds heavier)

1981 WRs (7) - 6-0 1/2, 177#
2021 WRs (10) - 6-2 1/4, 205# - (taller and 28 pounds heavier)

1981 OCs (3) - 6-3, 220#
2021 OCs (3) - 6-3 3/8, 301# - (a little taller and 81 pounds heavier)

1981 OGs (8) - 6-4 5/8, 235#
2021 OGs (6) - 6-3 5/8, 318# - (a little shorter, but 83 pounds heavier)

1981 OTs (8) - 6-4 3/8, 243#
2021 OTs (6) - 6-4 3/8, 318# - (same size, but 75 pounds heavier)

1981 P/Ks (3) - 5-11, 178#
2021 P/Ks (3) - 6-2, 198# - (taller and 20 pounds heavier)

1981 DTs (7) - 6-4 1/8, 247#
2021 DTs (8) - 6-3 3/8, 302# - (a little shorter, but 55 pounds heavier)

1981 DEs (10) - 6-3, 208#
2021 DEs (8) - 6-3 3/4, 262# - (a little taller and 54 pounds heavier)

1981 LBs (9) - 6-1, 203#
2021 LBs (10) - 6-1 1/4, 234# - (a little taller and 31 pounds heavier)

1981 CBs (7) - 5-11 3/4, 175#
2021 CBs (6) - 6-0 1/8, 190# - (a little taller and 15 pounds heavier)

1981 FS/Ss (8) - 6-0, 178#
2021 FS/Ss (8) - 6-0 1/4, 205# - (a little taller and 27 pounds heavier)

The average player on our 1981 NC team was 6-2 and 205.
The average player on our 2021 NC team is 6-2 1/2 and 247.

Not earth shattering knowledge, but I started thinking about this when Bama stomped us in Atlanta and they clearly looked different. I realized we'd arrived when looking at the Power Rangers warming up in the end zone compared to the other team.

Can't wait for 9/4. Go Tigers

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Interesting post.

It's amazing how much players have grown, and I don't know what to attribute it to. I wouldn't think nutrition had advanced that much since then, but maybe so.

Not too long ago, I happened to catch the 1981 Chicken game on ESPN Classic (I think). They showed James Farr, an OG, on the field and I thought geez, he looks skinny. I looked up a roster from that year on the internet, and he was listed at 217. A 217 lb offensive guard! Now we have WRs bigger than that. He was a good player too, I remember him from those days. I think quickness was more valuable on those option teams but still.

A few years ago I also saw a Notre Dame replay from around that time. Can't remember who they were playing. But Frank Broyles and Keith Jackson were calling it, and Broyles was amazed at the size of the ND offensive line. They averaged 250. He said something like, "can you believe that Keith - they AVERAGE 250 pounds!"

Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Clearly, it's the Bojangles

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Another interesting comparison would be speed

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

So this team is

I wonder if we aren't very close

I remember seeing Oklahoma run out of the tunnel....

Re: I remember seeing Oklahoma run out of the tunnel....

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

Re: Current weights and size vs. our 1981 NC Team

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