As part of its 2015 recruiting class, Clemson brought in a pair of highly touted offensive tackles in Mitch Hyatt and Jake Fruhmorgen.

Now, in 2016, the two young linemen will bookend what has the potential to be one of the best offensive lines in the country.

“Me and Mitch are best friends,” Fruhmorgen said recently during Clemson’s fall camp. “We love football, so we always talk about it, and it’s constantly in our minds. We’re really excited for the chance to play together this year and to work together as a unit.”

While Hyatt was a freshman sensation last season, when he became the first first-year player to start his first game at tackle since Phil Prince in 1944, Fruhmorgen had to bide his time behind senior right tackle Joe Gore.

Asked if it was difficult to see his buddy start while he stood on the sideline, Fruhmorgen said that wasn’t the case.

Rather, Fruhmorgen made the most of the situation, learning all he could from the experiences of Hyatt in order to prepare for the role he has assumed.

“I don’t think it was tough,” Fruhmorgen said. “If anything, it was a good experience for me to listen to Mitch and the experiences he had. I thought it was good for me to talk to him about certain situations and what he thought.”

That’s not to say, though, that Clemson’s practices haven’t been tough on Fruhmorgen as he acclimates to the added pressure and responsibilities that come with being a starter in the trenches.

“It’s hard, but it’s football,” Fruhmorgen said. “You have to expect that, and you have to want it every day.”

Fruhmorgen said the intensity has ramped up for him since last year, and that he isn’t taking his opportunity to start lightly.

“I think last year was more of a learning role, but now you have to pick it up on the go,” Fruhmorgen said. “I just try to come out every day thinking I have to be the starter and I have to practice because I have a good backup behind me in Sean (Pollard).

“We’re competing, and he’s a good player, so I have to keep working every day.”

One of Fruhmorgen’s primary focuses as the season approaches is simply being a good teammate to those lining up beside him.

“I am trying to be someone who is going to listen to the calls, and be someone who is going to be one of the leaders and have the intangible things that Jay (Guillermo) and the other leaders have on the offensive line,” Fruhmorgen said. “I want to be another good member to the line.”

Not only has Fruhmorgen received help from Hyatt and Clemson’s coaching staff during his transition from reserve to starter, but he has external help, too.

Fruhmorgen’s father, John — a former offensive lineman at Alabama who went on to play with the Miami Dolphins — is very involved in Jake’s career at Clemson.

“I think my dad watches as much film as anyone,” Fruhmorgen said. “He gives me advice every day on what to work on.”

Last year, Fruhmorgen performed well in limited playing time, recording seven knockdowns in 245 snaps over 11 games. Fruhmorgen made his first career start against Wake Forest on Nov. 21 in place of Gore, who sat out the contest due to personal reasons.