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Clemson Football: Tigers’ offensive line ranked 3rd in the nation

By Anthony Messenger

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 03: The Clemson Tigers line up against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship on December 3, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 03: The Clemson Tigers line up against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship on December 3, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The Clemson football program returns one of the most experienced and talented offensive lines in the country in 2017. With hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive season, those big boys must live up to the hype.

It’s no secret that Clemson’s offensive line is going to be one of their biggest strengths in 2017. Outside of center Jay Guillermo, the Tigers returned nearly their entire starting five from last season.

Led by stalwarts, Tyrone Crowder (OG) and Mitch Hyatt (OT), this group may be the best that Dabo Swinney has had during his time with the Clemson football program. Over the past two seasons, the Tigers’ have given up just 38 sacks. To put that into perspective, there were 14 programs who allowed at least 38 sacks in 2016 alone.

AthlonSports recently released their list of College Football’s Top 50 Offensive Lines in 2017 and Clemson came in at No. 3

Thoughts

The two programs ranked ahead of the Tigers are, Alabama (No. 2) and Oklahoma (No. 1). This is fair considering the talent that both the Tide and Sooners have along the offensive line. With that said, Clemson has a chance to overtake the two of them by seasons end.

From the reports coming out of camp, it appears that the Tigers are going to have much more quality depth upfront in 2017. John Simpson is in a tight battle with Taylor Hearn for the starting job at left guard, as is Tremayne Anchrum and Sean Pollard at right tackle.

I doubt that any other program in the country will be able to go eight or nine deep upfront, with little drop off, like Clemson will.

Other interesting rankings:

LSU at No. 7 – There’s no denying the talent that the Tigers bring into the season, however, they have been decimated by injuries already and the regular season hasn’t even begun. The next team on this list should be higher than the big boys in the Bayou.

Notre Dame at No. 9 – Despite having a hole at right tackle, the Fighting Irish return one of the strongest offensive lines in the country. Mike McGlinchey and Quentin Nelson – two of the top 2018 NFL draft prospects – will anchor this unit in 2017. I believe nine is too low, especially when you consider that LSU and Ohio State are ranked ahead of them.

Next: Predicting Clemson's QB situation in 2017

Clemson fan’s what are your thoughts on Clemson’s offensive line coming into 2017? Is No. 3 too low? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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