Clemson Football OL: The Forgotten Rock of A Championship Contender
We have talked a little about the Clemson football offensive line recently, but there is no doubt they are the rock of the championship-contending Tigers.
We talked a little about the Clemson football offensive line Monday, but they certainly do not get the love and respect they deserve.
Football fans look for the “flashy” players. They remember skill position players such as quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, but forget that it’s the offensive lineman making that play possible each and every snap.
Just for fun, let’s take a brief look back in time to the 1981 National Championship team’s offense.
- Can you name the quarterback?
- Can you name the starting running back?
- What about a wide receiver or two?
- Now the offensive line?
Even from the 80’s, where physicality was supreme, everyone remembers the skill position players. Without even thinking about it, I can name off players like quarterback Homer Jordan, wide-out Perry Tuttle, running back Cliff Austin, and several others, but who were the offensive linemen?
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Let’s see if these names ring a bell.
Brad Fisher, James Farr, Tony Berryhill, Brian Clark, and Lee Nanney. This is known as one of the greatest offensive lines in the history of Clemson football and many cannot remember more than two or three off of this year’s team.
That being said, the offensive line for this year’s team may end up being one of the major reasons for the Tigers’ success and they will not be remembered as well as players like Deshaun Watson, Mike Williams, and Wayne Gallman.
More tigers: Clemson Football: Excelling On The Field, In The Classroom
It may not be pretty and they may not get the glory that other players receive, but don’t take for granted the work that this offensive has and will do this season.
As great as Clemson football’s offense is, the offensive line may be the unit that makes the biggest difference in 2016. They are talented, confident, and experienced and will do a great job at the fore-front of the offense picking up on opposing defenses. Games are won among the line of scrimmage and the Tigers certainly have a deep and well-coached group up front.