By Will Vandervort

Perhaps the most important person for Clemson to replace this spring will be former center Dalton Freeman. Next to Tajh Boyd, Freeman was the guy who knew everything about Chad Morris’ fast paced offense.

Freeman was a four-year starter at center and became the first Clemson player to be named as an All-American on the field and in the classroom. When the Tigers start spring practice today, that will be a hard combination to replace. But they have no choice.

Here is a look at the top candidates to replace Freeman at center this spring.

Ryan Norton, 6-3, 270, So.: Norton played in 12 games last season, nine along the offensive line. He totaled 277 snaps at center and both guard positions.

“Ryan Norton will be our starter going in,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “He was easily our offensive rookie of the year last year. He really did some good things for us last year. He played some center and actually played both guards at different times.”

Jay Guillermo, 6-3, 290, Fr.:  Enrolled at Clemson in January of 2012. He was rated at the No. 89 player in the nation, No. 1 center in the nation and No. 1 player in Tennessee by ESPN.com. He was a first-team All-American by ESPN.com, MaxPreps.com, and Sports Illustrated. He was Mr. Football Lineman of the Year in Tennessee and played in the Under Armour All-America game.

“Jay Guillermo is a guy that we are really excited about,” Swinney said. “We were hoping that we could redshirt him last year and that worked out perfect for us. We thought we were going to have to play him but we were able to hold him and redshirt him.”

Reid Webster, 6-5, 275, Jr.: He played in 10 games last season, five of them on the offensive line, and participated in 28 snaps. A backup guard and center, Webster will get his shot to see significant playing time at both positions.

“Reid has really come on. Last year was a good year of growth for Reid Webster,” Swinney said. “He has been one of those guys that have been in the program a couple of years, and he is going into that redshirt junior year now. I have seen it so many times when those guys have taken that next step.

“He seems to be emerging in that direction so he is another guy that we are confident can be in the mix at center. You have to have three or four guys that can snap the ball.”

Tra Thomas, 6-0, 275, Jr.: Thomas started last season as a backup defensive tackle and played in three games and participated in 11 snaps. In the middle of last year, the coaching staff moved him over to offense where he began work as a guard on the scout team.

“Tra Thomas is a guy I’m really excited about to be honest with you,” Swinney said. “He is another one of those guys that has been in the program. He was over at defensive tackle and really had a hard time competing with those guys. He tried hard. He did everything we asked him to do.

“He is in great shape and is one of the strongest guys on the team, but we moved him during the season over to the scout team offense and he just looked so much more athletic and some much more natural. His strength and power shows up. I think he is a guy that has a chance to get in the mix at center and guard as well.”