Clemson Spring Position Battles: Tristan Leigh Ready to Compete at Left Tackle
The battle for left tackle may be the biggest on the offensive side of the ball for Clemson this spring. With the departure of Jordan McFadden, the Tigers are looking at a pair of sophomores to protect Cade Klubnik’s blind side.
Last year’s starting right tackle Blake Miller is a strong candidate. Miller started all 14 games on the right side of the line and earned Freshmen All-American honors, but there is still competition for the spot. Most notably from former 5-star prospect Tristan Leigh. Leigh is entering his third year with Clemson, after redshirting in 2021, Leigh played 50 snaps last season in a backup role. The 6-foot-6 tackle acknowledged the job Jordan McFadden did in preparing him for this moment.
“I have to give all credit to Jordan McFadden. I came in here and he immediately put me under his wing, and he let me know early on that he was there to help me. Being behind a guy of that talent, and an even better dude, I feel like he helped me put myself in a position to get this job.”
McFadden wasn’t the only one molding Leigh last year. Offensive line coach Thomas Austin, a former NFL & Clemson lineman, has been working hard to develop a strong rapport with his guys.
“He’s like a professor in offensive line play. I mean, he relates with us so well. He’s a guy who played at the highest level. He can tell us what that looks like, and I ask him all the time, the little stuff, like ‘Who’s the greatest guy you went against?’, ‘What’s Aaron Donald like?’. Little stuff like that. He’s always there for us. I can go to him and talk about anything. Doesn’t have to be football, I can go in there and talk about life with him. He makes that very known to us, and when I go into a meeting room, it’s not a place where I’m like dreading or about to get chewed out, it’s a place of learning.” said Leigh.
So what does Leigh have to do to earn the left tackle spot? He broke it down following Wednesday's spring practice.
“Be more consistent. That’s what I’m striving to do. I feel like if something was to set me back, it was just shown every day, playing at the highest level. Sometimes you have days where you felt like you played a certain way, and then you have a bad day. I’m trying to come out and be great every single day. I feel like if I can do that, everything will take care of itself.”
More Clemson News:
- Bryan Bresee Credits Clemson Football at NFL Combine
- Wes Goodwin Updates Clemson's Outside Linebacker Position Battle
- Clemson Spring Practice Schedule
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