Dabo Swinney has said it lot. So has Jeff Scott and so has Tony Elliott. The hardest position to learn, besides quarterback, in Clemson’s offense is the tight end position.

To be a productive tight end in Clemson’s offense, one has to be a technician. He has to be physical at the point of attack and he has to be a playmaker in the passing game. It just doesn’t happen overnight.

Michael Palmer did not walk into Clemson Memorial Stadium and become a two-time All-ACC tight end as a freshman. It was his third year at Clemson before Dwayne Allen became the ACC’s best, and by his fourth year he was the country’s best.

Brandon Ford took three years to convert from a wide receiver to becoming a first-team All-ACC tight end. Then there is Jordan Leggett. The John Mackey Award Finalist took three years before he became one of the best tight ends in America.

Milan Richard, along with Cannon Smith, enters his third season at Clemson as a redshirt sophomore. A skilled pass catcher coming out of high school in the Savannah, Georgia area, Richard has had to bulk up and become more physical before getting more of an opportunity to play.

“When I first got here the point of attack was a lot different than what I was used to,” he said. “I mean blocking guys, versus last year we blocked Shaq Lawson all year in practice. I mean guys like that and Kevin Dodd and now we’re blocking guys like Austin Bryant and Christian Wilkins so the point of attack is really physical.

“That’s just not something I was used to coming in, but I’ve grown to like that and to become better at that, so now I’m not happy with where I am, but I am definitely more confident when I am inside the box.”

The coaches are starting to get more confident in Richard as well. Though Swinney says he would like to see the 6-foot-3, 260-pound tight end be a little more physical, Clemson’s head coach says he has come a long way since his freshman season.

“He still isn’t a butt kicker like I need him to be at the point of attack, but he is a heck of a lot better than he was when he got here,” Swinney said. “He has made progress in all areas. If he continues to do that, he is going to be a good player.”

In the Tigers’ final scrimmage, the Savannah, Georgia native had four catches for 48 yards. Swinney called it his best day as a Clemson Tiger.

“He went up and made a very competitive play over Muse down the sideline. His confidence is the highest it has ever been,” Swinney said. “He is playing the fastest he has ever played.”

Richard says the speed of the game has finally slowed down, and that is why he has had a successful summer to this point.

“When I first got here everything was going fast. We can be in two or three different places in one play and three different jobs,” he said. “So it all depends on where we’re at but I’m enjoying it more now because now I can just play and I’m not really thinking about what I’m doing as much.”