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YOUR BALANCE
Examining the OL next year
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Examining the OL next year


Jan 1, 2022, 12:04 PM

Assuming that Rayburn moves back over to guard, I took a look-see at the unit coming back next year.


Center

Trotter
Howard
Linthicum

Neither Howard nor Trotter is a super-star but doesn't Linthicum earn some playing time as a redshirt frosh?

Right Tackles

Parks
Mayes
Leigh


I guess I am the only one not overly impressed with Parks on Tigernet but he is only a sophomore and has time to, gulp, develop? I wonder why Mayes didn't push him more this year. Seems like a solid two-deep if you ignored watching this line play and just looked at the Rivals ranking.

Guards

Putnam
Rayburn
Tate
Wiliams

I threw Tate over there because this seems the position where we need the most help. Putnam and Rayburn can't consistently get push up the middle against elite DL. I wonder if Williams being healthy could make a huge difference. I hope so.

Left tackle

McFadden
Tate

Does McFadden come back for his senior year? If so I am going to feel 1000x better about our OL next year. If not, then I think we are in trouble again.


On paper, we should have a decent line if these boys make any progress. We are way too thin in my opinion though.

What do you guys think?

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I think you are missing Linthicum at Center*


Jan 1, 2022, 12:09 PM

nm

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Shoot, thanks! Forgot him!***


Jan 1, 2022, 12:10 PM



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Re: I think you are missing Linthicum at Center*


Jan 1, 2022, 12:11 PM [ in reply to I think you are missing Linthicum at Center* ]

And Leigh at tackle

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it will be one of the best OL we've ever had


Jan 1, 2022, 12:11 PM

if we can solve the C position. Pennington will be a starter. Leigh will be on the 2 deep. I think there are a couple other names missing as well.

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Re: it will be one of the best OL we've ever had


Jan 1, 2022, 12:14 PM

Seems like we hear this every year. Potential, Potential, Potential. I'll believe when I see it. Hopefully Thomas Austin can develop better than Caldwell could.

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We have? When has it been projected


Jan 1, 2022, 2:42 PM

for us to be a great OL? Certainly wasn’t the consensus heading into this year.

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Right, was Pennington the one Dabo talked about


Jan 1, 2022, 12:17 PM [ in reply to it will be one of the best OL we've ever had ]

getting hurt but they thought he might have started?

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Yes***


Jan 1, 2022, 1:39 PM



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Forgive me, but how can we possibly go from an offensive line


Jan 1, 2022, 3:51 PM [ in reply to it will be one of the best OL we've ever had ]

that was really bad this year, to the best offensive line we’ve ever had next year?

That seems like super fast progress for a position group that has mostly underachieved in the Dabo era (and most every era since Danny Ford) and is also going to have new coaches?

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"All those 'Fire Brownell' guys can kiss it." -Joseph Girard III

"Everybody needs to know that Coach Brownell is arguably the best coach to come through Clemson." -PJ Hall


5 star Linthicum off a redshirt mixes in at C


Jan 1, 2022, 12:18 PM

Pennington plays as he would have this year if not for the injury in preseason. Leigh, another 5 star, will be a back up at both tackles.

And yes, McFadden is returning. I think OL on the inside is an open competition all spring and summer with so many highly rated guys either returning from injury or coming off redshirt. I think one of the 2 freshmen tackles could see time as well.

Me, I'm optimistic. At least according to the talent gurus, this is a talented OL. Just a little young still

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Yeah, I forgot on the ones not playing


Jan 1, 2022, 12:21 PM

But after adding them and knowing McFadden is coming back....I think we really could have a good line next year.

It will be fun to watch this off-season for sure.

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Re: 5 star Linthicum off a redshirt mixes in at C


Jan 1, 2022, 4:47 PM [ in reply to 5 star Linthicum off a redshirt mixes in at C ]

Leigh and/or Pennington need to replace Putnam at RG. McFadden will be drafted as a late round G in NFL -- expect the scouts to tell him another year as Clemson LT will only help him.

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Re: 5 star Linthicum off a redshirt mixes in at C


Jan 1, 2022, 5:50 PM [ in reply to 5 star Linthicum off a redshirt mixes in at C ]

To get all of them back being a year older in the weight room for another year should make for a lot of improvement. I’m hoping these 5 star guys turn out to be elite lineman like Ga Ala LSU Snd Ohio State usually have

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Re: Examining the OL next year


Jan 1, 2022, 12:45 PM

I think we're exploring the portal for someone who can play center. Linthicum may still be a year away and Trotter/Rayburn should be depth players.

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Don’t Expect Any Miracles


Jan 1, 2022, 1:51 PM

It will take several seasons and recruiting cycles to correct the dumpster fire Mr. Caldwell left at the OL position.

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The recruiting turned a corner with the 2020


Jan 1, 2022, 2:39 PM

Class. The last 3 including this one have signed the guys we need. Usually most OL aren’t seeing the field until year 3 if you’re established. We’re paying for the recruiting prior to the 2020 class right now. Guys in these most recent 3 classes will get to see the field sooner as a result. OL was not projected as a strength for this team especially once Carmen turned pro and the injuries on top of that. The OL looked pretty good down the stretch once they got some stability and some younger guys got some experience. We were extremely lucky to have Caldwell particularly this year. The biggest problem this year was the WRs and it wasn’t even close. The injuries and lack of experienced talent at that position destroyed our O production. From blocking on the edge which is a massive part of our O, to dropped balls, lack of elite ball skills, effort at times, route running, it was mostly crap all year. I do think the Collins guys will be good long term and hope Spector, Taylor can add something. Hopefully Williams and Ngata can stay on the field but they need to elevate their game also.

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Re: The recruiting turned a corner with the 2020


Jan 1, 2022, 2:55 PM

Many have stated this but have provided no evidence to support the claim. The have to wait 3 years for an OL to contribute is an outdated paradigm that AL, OSU regularly disprove. The WRs were an issue and will likely continue to be but to state that WRs were the primary problem is just incorrect.
We have never been able to consistently run the ball against playoff caliber teams.

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UGA and Bama each have 1 2nd year guy


Jan 1, 2022, 3:16 PM

On their starting OL. The rest are 3-6 year players(hard to tell exactly how many years in for them due to free Covid year without looking up each’s recruiting year) To be a playoff contender, it’s just as if not more important these days to have a qb with some mobility(at least to extend plays) and great receivers. If you don’t, then you aren’t going to be a able to run the ball at all. There is a reason Saban switched his philosophy on offense after seeing the threat Clemson posed.

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Anyone ever find our what Trotter's "violation of team rulz"


Jan 1, 2022, 1:59 PM

was?

Clemson really doesn't have many issues like that, but seems like there is always one a year, come bowl season. Maybe that person is just a designated scapegoat some of the time?

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Re: Examining the OL next year


Jan 1, 2022, 2:40 PM

Here’s how I see it playing out…

LT: McFadden - Mayes - Leigh
LG: Tate or Rayburn - Williams
OC: Trotter or Rayburn - Howard or Linthicum
RG: Putnam - Pennington - Tucker
RT: Parks - Williams - Sadler

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Many years our Olines have been good “on paper”….


Jan 1, 2022, 3:07 PM

It would be nice to see it on the field for once. I’ll believe it when I see it.

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Re: Examining the OL next year


Jan 1, 2022, 3:15 PM

The interior has struggled for the last 2 seasons. Putnam hasn't gotten any better. Hopefully they all have a great off season in the weight room.

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Re: Examining the OL next year


Jan 1, 2022, 3:47 PM

WE have 2 Freshmen coming in that will probably redshirt.

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Re: Examining the OL next year


Jan 1, 2022, 4:31 PM

I think Williams opting to have the knee cap surgery early is a big plus. I know he has worked hard to get back to full strength. I agree he is a Guard and will most likely play RG. I bet he is listed as the starter at the beginning of camp. He is versatile to play RT too. That is a big plus.

I don’t see McFadden much on the big board for drafting so I bet he comes back to play his senior year under the new OL coach. He will be a veteran LT.

Tate is probably a shoe in at LG.

Rayburn probably stays at C.

Parks at RT.

McFadden - Tate - Rayburn - William - Parks

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