Clemson football: Tigers have plenty of things to prove

There was a lot of hope that the offensive line would improve in 2021 over a “down” year in 2020 when even all-everything running back Travis Etienne found it hard to find yards on the ground. Unfortunately, all the 2021 team did was help redefine what was actually considered “down”.

Not all of it was their fault. Injuries happen, but career ending injuries like Hunter Rayburn’s neck & back ailments don’t happen everyday. At least two others were lost for the year, and others lost at least a few games.

Ultimately, however, the perception of the fanbase was that Clemson had recruited well enough that the line should still be better than what we saw in 2021, so there was a lot of frustration.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Nonetheless, the offseason has given us reason to hope again.

First, Robbie Caldwell retired from his on-the-field role, allowing Thomas Austin to step in as offensive line coach. New voice, new vision, new hope.

Second, we learned in the spring that Will Putnam was moving to center. Clemson struggled at center the past two seasons, so anyone with insider eyes commenting on center would naturally be conservative, right? Instead, everything we heard was positive about Putnam. Today, it seems people are downright excited to see him take the field.

Lastly, just when it seems Clemson would merely plug the best option available at right guard, we hear that Blake Miller – a true freshman – has played so well at tackle that the staff has elected to move Walker Parks to right guard so Miller could start at right tackle. It’s not a situation like last year when Marcus Tate had to start because he was simply the best option. They are genuinely excited about Miller.

It sounds great. It sounds like everything is falling into place. Let’s be honest: it sounds too good to be true. It might be.

There’s no real reason to doubt Austin, but there also isn’t a whole lot on tape to prove his abilities other than two seasons as the line coach at Georgia State, which isn’t Power Five competition.

Putnam never graded out that well at guard. It’s wonderful to believe that moving him to center knocked out two problems at once, but is it likely?

Mitch Hyatt started as a freshman at tackle and did alright, but that doesn’t happen that often. Will Miller look as ready to play when he steps out on the field for live snaps?

When I “read the tea leaves” on quarterback, the people in the know were telling me to not get my hopes too high. When I do the same on the o-line, they are telling me there is valid reason to be optimistic. That would be great. I think I still need to see it in the field.

That old saying doesn’t have a part that says “Fool me thrice” because most people learn their lesson before we get to thrice.