Eric Mac Lain has been a favorite of the Clemson media for a few years now, and there is a reason why, several in fact. He speaks what’s on his mind. But it’s more than just that. Mac Lain, who has aspirations to one day be a coach himself, is truly a coach on the field for the 12th-ranked Tigers.
Since he has crossed trained at every position on the offensive line, except center, he understands what everyone is supposed to be doing and not doing. With young guys like Mitch Hyatt, Jake Fruhmorgen, Taylor Hearn and Justin Falcinelli expected to contribute this season, Mac Lain is able to give them leadership and advice when they need help.
In essence, especially to the media, Mac Lain is like having a coach to speak with as he breaks down the ins and outs of the offensive line. Since the media cannot speak with assistant coaches during the season, Mac Lain is a pretty good second option for an opinion on how things are going on the offensive line.
As the Tigers head into their 11th practice of fall camp, and the 10th day overall, Mac Lain has been impressed with what he has seen out of Hyatt, the projected started at left tackle.
“He is doing very well. That kid is extremely smart,” the senior said. “Obviously, you guys ask me if has been in a fight every time, but he has not gotten in any recently. He is doing very well. His footwork looks excellent. He is really growing as you watch each day, and this kid is getting better. There should be no reason he isn’t a freshman All-American.”
Mac Lain, who works alongside Hyatt at left guard, says the true freshman is starting to grasp how things work in college and that he doesn’t have to do it all by himself.
“I think that is what has helped him so much is that he finally understands he does have that help inside. He can really just ball out, and if they come in, that is my gap,” Mac Lain said. “I think that has really helped him flourish. That is an example, from a knowledge standpoint, of him growing and really learning the protections.”
Mac Lain explains Fruhmorgen, though extremely talented, is a little raw thanks to a shoulder injury in high school that kept him from getting physically stronger in his upper body. With senior Joe Gore wearing yellow (which means no contact) in Wednesday’s situational scrimmage, Fruhmorgen worked with the first-team offense for the first time this summer.
“He is just a young guy, but he did very well,” Mac Lain said. “When you get in there for those first-team reps, obviously, it is a little scary for you, but for his first time he held his own out there.
“That shoulder injury he had back in high school has held him back a little bit during the spring, but now you are seeing him flourish and getting bigger and stronger.
With center Ryan Norton missing most of the last week of camp due to a concussion, Jay Guillermo has worked his way back to the top of the depth chart and was taking all of the first-team reps at center in Wednesday’s situational scrimmage. Despite missing all of the spring drills, while attending to some personal matters, Mac Lain says it’s hard to tell Guillermo even missed all of that practice time.
“He looks great,” Mac Lain said. “He lost some weight. Really, he did not gain that much while he was out, but he did a heck of a job in his off-season where he was really preparing himself mentally and physically. You could not tell he was out for a little while.”
Clemson will resume practice on Friday with the first of two sessions in the morning.