Before Eric Mac Lain, Ryan Norton and Joe Gore played in their last game at Clemson, Robbie Caldwell’s offensive line group was already short-handed.

Earlier this month, the group added two mid-year freshmen: Sean Pollard and Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

Before Clemson played in the National Championship, TheClemsonInsider spoke with Caldwell about his newest pupils.

“Loved them in high school. It’s a process. You have to start all over. It’s like jumping on the jayvee team and working their way up,” he said. “I’m extremely excited about them. They both love football. They love talking about football. That’s kind of rare.

“You think they love it until they get hit in the mouth. It’s refreshing to see. They remind me a lot of Mitch (Hyatt) and Jake (Fruhmorgen) in the fact that they like talking about football. That’s important.”

The mid-year freshmen had one workout with the Clemson coaches before the team left for Arizona.

“I like their attitudes. I can’t wait to get started with them,” Caldwell said. “Our numbers are down. We need them. It’s going to be a lot fun adding them to the bunch.”

Both were classified by Rivals as guards, Pollard a four-star and Anchrum a three-star.

“Don’t where we’re going to play them just yet, both of them can play tackle. They’re athlete enough to where they can play any spot,” Caldwell said. “We’ll probably start both of them out — I like for everybody to learn two positions, tackle and guard on each side.”

The Clemson staff will start to get a sense of the two once mat drill begin later this winter. Once spring practice rolls around, that’s when Caldwell will really figure them out.

“We’ve got to watch their footwork, to see which one they’re best acclimated to, which side, that sort of thing. I can’t wait. I’m ready for spring practice already,” Caldwell said.