Dabo Swinney Updates Clemson's Situation at Guard

With offensive linemen Walker Parks and Marcus Tate out for the spring, Clemson has had to get creative across the offensive line. It hurts to not have two guys who are projected to be starters not at spring practice while Clemson installs a new offense, but it has presented the team an opportunity to get some looks at other players. Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney discussed what the situation at guard has been this spring following the team’s scrimmage on Wednesday.

“Musical chairs,” said Swinney. “We’re kind of looking at everybody, from Trent [Howard] to [Ryan] Linthicum, to [Bryn] Tucker, to Mitchell [Mayes]. Mitchell’s made some big strides. He really gained a lot of confidence. I think that was the biggest thing for him was just confidence, and he gained a lot of confidence those last four games of the season. Of the young guys, Harris Sewell has really caught my attention. He is a really natural football player; incredibly physical inside, picks things up really, really quickly, very strong, and incredibly flexible.”

Again, Clemson would prefer to have their two guys at guard active for the spring, but such is football. Injuries happen, and teams have to adapt. While some may view the lack of clear-cut starters as a cause for concern, Swinney sees the competition as a positive. “It’s musical chairs. We’re really repping a lot of people, which is good… It’s going to make us better.”

Clemson will return to spring practice on March 27th. The spring game will take place on April 15th at Memorial Stadium.

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