Clemson Football: Tiger OL will be nationally elite in 2019

The Clemson football offensive line has the potential to be one of the best in the nation in 2019 because of the returning experience and talent.

For the first part of last season, there were times where the Clemson football offensive line was inconsistent.

It seemed, though, that the group got better as the season progressed and that they became more confident when Trevor Lawrence took over as the starting quarterback.

All of this culminated in the unit firmly controlling the game against both Notre Dame and Alabama in the CFB Playoff.

As we head into 2019, there’s a chance that the Clemson football offensive line is even better than the unit was in 2018.

The Tigers will lose two key starters, though, in LT Mitch Hyatt and C Justin Falcinelli. Though the two veterans will be gone, there is reason to believe that this group should be much improved.

Jackson Carman is expected to be the starter at left tackle, filling Hyatt’s place. Carman was the nation’s top OT in the 2018 recruiting cycle and has been working for a year on learning the offense, improving his technique and getting his weight where it needs to be.

In my opinion, Carman has an opportunity to be one of the most dominant left tackles in the game. He is a first-round talent and that will show up this season.

Sean Pollard played the vast majority of snaps at center this spring and reportedly did a great job. Pollard was a co-starter with Gage Cervenka at right guard last season, but has taken on a role of leadership and looks as if he’ll be a solid center by the time kickoff comes around.

Cervenka returns to play right guard while both John Simpson (LG) and Tremayne Anchrum (RT) return as starters, as well.

This unit will have to work on its chemistry and may take a little bit of time to develop, but the talent and skill is there for this group to be better than last year’s and for them to be one of the best offensive lines in the nation.