As Clemson looks to restore itself to its former glory, part of the rebuild includes the return of offensive coordinator Chad Morris and the retooled Clemson offense. And as any good football fan knows, the offense only functions as well as its offensive line. Since being brought on after the 2023 season, veteran line coach Matt Luke has certainly brought a new perspective to Clemson’s offensive line play, and has particularly show out in recruiting. The talent will certainly need to step up as Clemson will replace
3 veteran offensive linemen up front.
Who’s Gone?
Blake Miller, Right Tackle, NFL (1st Round, Lions): In what is one of the more shocking stats I’ve ever heard, Blake Miller became the first Clemson offensive lineman in the common draft era to be picked in the first round. That is quite the feather in Matt Luke’s cap. Miller earned the starting job as a freshman in 2022. He played 3,778 snaps through 54 starts and never missed a game. While there was some criticism of his play in 2025, this is a guy Clemson is going to miss a lot, and right tackle will be a position to watch.
Tristan Leigh, Left Tackle, NFL (Vikings, Undrafted): For a right handed quarterback like Cade Klubnik, Chris Vizzina, or Tait Reynolds, the left tackle is their most important lineman. As a Senior, Leigh did a good job keeping Cade Klubnik clean, allowing 0 sacks in 2025. While he wasn’t quite as decorated as Blake Miller, Leigh was also a longtime starter for the Tigers, starting in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The good news? Tristan Leigh’s replacement Brayden Jacobs may be the most hyped Clemson offensive lineman we’ve seen in a while, but we’ll talk more about that later.
Ryan Linthicum, Center, Coaching (Clemson Intern): Gone, but not far away, Linthicum traded in the cleats and pads for a polo and whistle, joining Clemson’s staff as an offensive player development intern. The return to Tiger Town comes after a short sting at Buffalo Bills minicamp. Linthicum was a 2-year starter for the Tigers, and tied Blake Miller for the team lead in snaps, with 885 through all 13 games.
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Who’s Back?
Brayden Jacobs, Tackle, Sophomore: As I mentioned earlier, Clemson’s projected left tackle is probably the most hyped Clemson offensive lineman I can remember since Jackson Carman. The big, 6’7”, 350 pound sophomore Brayden Jacobs, so of NFL legend Brandon Jacobs. Brayden played in 10 games last year and had 4 starts before being sidelined with an injury after the win at Louisville. The Milton High School star was a 4 star prospect and ranked at the 55th best player in the nation by 247 Sports. I expect him to have a huge season for the Tigers, and Jacobs’s play at left tackle will go a long way in the success of whoever ends up playing quarterback for Clemson.
Elyjah Thurmon, Guard, RS Sophomore: Another offensive lineman who has a lot of hype but has also fought through injuries, Elyjah Thurmon looks to stay healthy and start at guard for Clemson this season. As freshman in 2024, Thurmon saw some play at tackle and looked impressive before an injury in his first start at Pitt ended his season. Last year he was slated to provide depth at guard, but once again the injury bug reared it’s ugly head and forced him into a redshirt season. With Harris Sewell most likely moving over to center, a healthy Thurmon would be huge for Clemson.
Harris Sewell, Center/Guard, Senior: A senior who has played a lot of guard for the Tigers, Sewell will most likely be back at center for the Tigers in 2026. In 2022, Sewell was rated as the #1 high school center in Texas by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. He played his high school ball at Permian High School. Yep, that’s right, the “Friday Night Lights” school. When he signed in 2023, Dabo Swinney paid him one of the highest compliments an offensive lineman can receive: he called Sewell a “dirtbag.” Clemson’s OL needs dirtbags. Mean dudes ready to get down and dirty. Sewell started 9 games last year (2 at left guard and 7 at right guard).
Ronan O’Connell, Guard, RS Sophomore: Ronan got his first start in the Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State. Given how much of a debacle that game was I’m really not reading too much either way into that. Other than that he’s played limited snaps in two years. It’ll be grow up time quickly when Clemson plays at LSU.
Collin Sadler, Tackle/Guard, RS Senior: The old man of the unit. Started 9 games last year (7 at left guard, 2 at left tackle). An Upstate boy who’s going to need to fight off some young lineman for playing time. He missed Spring with a shoulder injury. Could end up seeing time at guard or tackle this season, possibly even filling Blake Miller’s shoes at right tackle.
Easton Ware, Tackle, RS Freshman: Another guy who may need to grow up quickly. Ware was a highly touted prospect out of Virginia. Missed last year after injuring his shoulder in fall camp. While a lineman getting his first college snaps on the road at LSU scares me, it would be a great opportunity to quickly learn what we have.
Ian Reed, Tackle, RS Junior: Another Texan on the line, coming from Austin’s Vandegrift High School. Had a season ending knee injury in 2024’s fall camp. Played limited snaps last year. Has been a 2 time ACC Honor Roll selection, let’s see if he can make a little noise on the field.
Chapman Pendergrass, Center, RS Senior: Former walk on from nearby Anderson. Earned some infamy last year as the target of the ill advised trick play at the goal line in the Duke loss. Has been mostly a special teamer in his time in Tiger Town.
Tucker Kattus, Guard/Tackle, RS Freshman: Redshirted last season. Came to Clemson from Cincinnati’s storied St. Xavier football program.
Wade Mason, Tackle, RS Sophomore: Redshirted in 2024. Has played 51 offensive snaps in two years for the Tigers.
Dietrick Pennington, Guard, Graduate Student: 6th year player that has suffered two knee injuries. Let’s see if he can take advantage of his last ride in Clemson.
Gavin Blanchard, Guard, RS Freshman: Redshirted last year and only played in the Furman game.
Hayes Galloway, Guard, Senior: Scout teamer for the Tigers last year after transferring from North Carolina. Son of assistant coach Lonnie Galloway
Bryce Smith, Guard, Senior: Daniel High School alum. Walked on at Clemson instead of playing at Army, Navy, or Air Force.
Carlito Jones, Tackle, Senior: Joined the football program after two years as thrower on the Clemson Men’s Track & Field team. Played football, basketball, and track at nearby Pendleton High School.
The Freshmen
Carter Scruggs, Tackle, Leesburg, VA (Loudon County HS)
Grant Wise, Guard/Center, Pace, FL (Pace HS)
Chance Barkley, Guard, Minneola, FL (The First Academy)
Leo Delaney, Tackle, Charlotte, NC (Providence Day School)
Adam Guthrie, Tackle, Washington Court House, Ohio (Miami Trace HS)
Braden Wilmes, Tackle, Lawrence, KS (Lawrence Free State HS)
Final Thoughts
As I stated earlier, Clemson’s offensive success will rest on the shoulders of the offensive line. The Tigers are replacing three of the big fellas, but they do have options that include some veterans and some raw, young talent. Injuries have been a problem for Clemson’s OL in recent years, and that gives me cause for concern. Not to say it’s easy sledding for Clemson after the opener at LSU, but if the Tigers can get through that I would like to think the early parts of the schedule may give Clemson some opportunity to mix and match on the line and give a lot of guys reps to see what we’re working with. I imagine there will be some trial and error to figure out who the best 5 are, but hopefully Tiger fans won’t have to be too patient during the process.
