Clemson fans have complained for years that there’s no true tackle depth. And Dabo Swinney believes these days are over. Despite losing veteran Collin Sadler to injury in the spring,
Swinney said the Tigers have more “functional depth” at the tackle position than at any point in the last decade. He attributes Offensive Line coach Matt Luke for the culture of cross-training that has revolutionized the unit.
“I think we probably have five guys that can play tackle for us,” Swinney said, a hard sell at a program that has long struggled to find two consistent starters. Swinney, along with peers Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh, cited the development of Elyjah Thurmon and Brayden Jacobs as young players with “tackle feet.”
Thurmon, who redshirted after a shoulder injury last year, is “ramping up” and appears to be the biggest force in the rotation. Having five tackle-capable players is a way for the staff to transfer their “best five” to the interior when needed, Swinney said, instead of being squeezed to play guard at tackle if they need to.
“You can find a tackle who can go play guard … but it’s hard to take true guards and say go play tackle,” said Swinney.
This flexibility is part and parcel of the 2026 “development” focus, protecting the Tigers against the injury bugs that have been rampant in those years.