The job description of an offensive lineman is not at all sunshine and roses. They are the guys left with the dirty work so that everyone else looks pretty. Underneath their scruffy beards and pudgy stomachs, these guys understand their job is far from a beauty pageant. They take responsibility for all the blame and expect no one to credit them in their successes.
These guys aren’t in it for the fame because they know if their name is ever called out it’s probably not for a good reason.
“We know our name is not going to be in the paper,” said Clemson Offensive line coach, Robbie Caldwell, “but it is hard to run an off-tackle play without a tackle.”
As for former Clemson offensive lineman, Eric Mac Lain, his name is well known by the media and not for bad reasons. Mac Lain has been the voice of the offensive line, speaking his mind whenever he has the chance.
Being the great communicator that he is, Mac Lain has developed a great relationship with the Clemson media. He was even given the privilege of introducing Vice President Joe Biden at an “It’s On Us” campaign in Clemson last year.
As the 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive lineman talks the talk; he can also walk the walk. Recruited as the No. 59 player in the nation and No. 6 tight end by Rivals.com, Mac Lain has been a huge asset to the Clemson offense. During one of Clemson’s most historical seasons, he started all 15 games at left guard and was named to the All-Bowl team chosen by ESPN. He was also a member of the All-ACC team.
He was a big reason why Clemson’s offense was able to rack up a total of 550 yards against Alabama’s No. 2 overall defense during the National Championship game.
From having such success as an offensive lineman, it’s hard to believe that the senior came to Clemson as a tight end. Through a lot of hard working and hard-core donut eating, Mac Lain transitioned to where head coach Dabo Swinney thought his future was at all along, the offensive line.
“The circumstances were just Mother Nature,” Swinney said. “He just liked to eat, he got big. He was a big-boned kid that was trying to do everything he could to stay in that 260-265 range. I think he finally realized his best future was to move inside.”
Having played tight end all his life, Mac Lain transitioned better than most had expected.
“He’s done a great job, he really has. It wasn’t an easy transition,” Swinney said. “He played tight end his whole life. Moving into the OL was a different deal for him. But, man, has he played well for us. More importantly, he has been a great, great leader for us.”
With only two returning starters in 2015, and the loss of left tackle Isaiah Battle, the depth of the offensive line was a major concern at the beginning of the season. But being the leader that he his, Mac Lain didn’t hesitate in stepping into a leadership role.
“Eric has been an unbelievable leader. He took Mitch Hyatt under his wing, a true freshman left tackle, getting (Jay) Guillermo back, Ryan Norton battling through injuries, Joe Gore, Maverick (Morris) stepping in, Crowder, all those guys, they’ve been incredible. It doesn’t matter who we’ve played, they have been incredibly consistent,” Swinney said.
Having the privilege of playing his last game in the National Championship, the senior offensive lineman talked about his final thoughts playing in his last game ever as a Tiger.
“What’s next? Just trying to think of the future and moving on. It’s sad. You know. I love Clemson with all my heart.”
If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.
