Clemson Football: The evolution of the offensive line

One area that’s going to be talked about a lot regarding Clemson football is the offensive line that struggled so much in 2021.

We’ve already heard almost daily stories of “good” coming out of camp with very little negative sprinkled in about the 2022 version of the line.

This clip from Gramlich and Mac Lain could be viewed as more of that type of hype.  A former Clemson offensive lineman praising what he’s seeing from the line in camp.

Except that I interviewed Eric Mac Lain a few years back and it seemed to me he was very forthright and honest about his assessment of programs (not just Clemson), people that he’d met along the way (this was before his ACC Network days) and even himself.

He didn’t strike me then, nor does he now,  as someone who’s going to be hyperbolic about an offensive line that’s not very good, because his credibility is at stake.

Would he add a little extra because it’s Clemson and he played line at Clemson? Sure, maybe subconsciously, I’m not naïve to that notion.

Still, come Labor Day Night they have to go out there and do it.  Go out there and erase the memories of last season when Clemson totaled 286 total yards.  Not against the 2nd ranked Georgia defense, but against what turned out to be the 117th ranked Georgia Tech defense.

The Clemson football offensive line is being praised for their camp performance this season, but the proof will come when the games start

First impressions can be a tricky thing and sometimes they stay with you forever, or at least a long time.

Is anyone expecting perfection?  Not in this corner of Clemson fandom, we’re not.

That said, we also don’t want to hear the same excuses that we’ve heard before and we want to see progress and competent play up front under the leadership of new offensive line coach Thomas Austin, himself a former Clemson offensive lineman.

As I generally am this time of year, I’m cautiously optimistic and realize that what happens on September 5th, doesn’t necessarily mean that will happen all season, but it’s going to be a difficult “sell” if the fans see something similar to last season to start this season, especially given the opponent.

Very soon it’s going to be time to prove that the assessments are correct and it’s not just hyperbole, but real improvement up front.