Some of the Clemson football players I name below are going to be obvious, you can probably guess the names, and some of them are players that may interest me more than you and hopefully we can point out a few names to each other to keep and eye on during Monday’s season opener.
So, let’s begin with the obvious and move on from there.
Up first, the center of things – Will Putnam
We’ll get to the quarterback in just a minute or two, but first the guy who gets the ball to the quarterback – the center.
The 6’4, 315 pound Putnam will be the center of attention, pun intended, come Monday night when he rifles his first live game snap back to D.J. Uiagalelei. Putnam is a veteran of over 1,600 career snaps, none of them at center.
The Tigers struggled at the position last season, but the theory is that moving Putnam to center and Walker Parks to guard will get the best five offensive linemen on the field.
After last season, Tiger fans are understandably gun shy about the offensive line, but the praise has been rolling in for this group from teammates, coaches and some corners of the media.
All that’s left is the actual game and while Georgia Tech won’t be the toughest opponent on the season, it will be a first gauge and it all starts when Putnam makes the calls and snaps the ball.