Clemson football: Things to keep an eye on as camp opens

Who will replace Putnam at right guard?

Will Putnam hopes to end Clemson’s woes at the center position this fall after two seasons of problems finding the right guy to snap the ball. If Putnam is at center, however, then someone must step up at his former starting position of right guard. There are several possible options.

New offensive line coach Thomas Austin has said that Mitchell Mayes and Bryn Tucker are the leading candidates right now to step in at starting right guard. Both players are entering their third season in the program and many observers have noted that if they are going to make a push for relevance, they need to do it this fall because there are some younger guys looking to impress the staff.

That brings us to 6′-5″, 335 pound Dietrick Pennington. Pennington spent most of 2021 injured, so he will be a redshirt freshman this season. Coach Swinney has noted that had he not been injured in the 2nd game against South Carolina State, Pennington was progressing well enough to break into the two-deep and possibly move into a starting role. Now that he is healthy again, I think it is reasonable to believe that Pennington will push Mayes and Tucker for the right guard spot.

Don’t forget that Clemson has two true freshmen who impressed in spring practice: Blake Miller and Collin Sadler. While Miller looks like he will likely lineup at tackle, several young players are likely to cross train. It is entirely possible that if either freshman impresses in camp, they could get a chance to compete in earnest with Mayes and Tucker.