CLEMSON — When it comes to its offensive line, Clemson is done shopping for the 2024 roster.
Clemson was able to flip former Duke commit Mason Wade, a three-star offensive lineman, at the start of the early signing period Wednesday, which according to head coach Dabo Swinney is the last addition to this year’s O-Line class.
Clemson also inked offensive tackle Ronan O’Connell and inside guys Elyjah Thurmon and Watson Young as part of the 2024 Recruiting Class. Young is the son of former Clemson All-American and Academic All-American center Kyle Young.
Swinney also announced veteran lineman Trent Howard is returning to Clemson for one more season, giving the Tigers seven linemen who have multiple starts returning up front.
Howard has played in nine games so far in 2023, including starts against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He registered a career-high 72 snaps in the Tigers’ win over then No. 12 Notre Dame.
That is huge for us because we have not lost a game since Trent started. He has played a lot of football for us,” Swinney said. “He is a very experienced player. That gives us seven starters.”
Howard can play both guard positions, as well as center. He played left and right guard in Clemson’s win over South Carolina in the regular season finale.
“He has really good length and is a guy that has battled through injuries and some things, so I think he will really attack this off-season,” Swinney said. “That is seven guys that have started for us and won for us. It has been a while since we have had that.”
With seven offensive line starters on the Clemson roster for 2024, Swinney felt it played a factor in why the Tigers were turned down by portal guys like Alan Herron (Shorter College), Keylan Rutledge (Middle Tennessee) and Addison Nichols (Tennessee). Herron signed with Penn State, Rutledge with Georgia Tech, and Nichols with Arkansas.
“I am excited about where we are and frankly that is what hurt us with some of these portal guys,” Swinney said. “We did not really go looking for a one-and-done guy. That really was not what we needed. You bring a guy like that in and then you lose somebody. We like our guys. We do not want to lose any of those guys.”
Tristan Leigh, Collin Sadler, Blake Miller and Harris Sewell are all set to return next season. They all four started the South Carolina game, as well as Howard. Walker Parks and Marcus Tate, who both started the year before suffering season-ending injuries, are also coming back, along with Howard.
Swinney said they offered four offensive lineman that were in the portal.
“We were looking for guys (in the portal) that maybe had three years left. We felt like that would be a good fit for us,” Swinney said. “But, like I said, they have to choose you. You can try all you want, but they have to choose you. It is hard when you have seven starters coming back.
“A lot of these guys are in the portal for a reason. They want to be the guy and I can’t guarantee anybody is going to be the guy. You got an opportunity to be the guy, but you have to earn it. Thankfully, it all worked out the way it was supposed to.”
Swinney also mentioned Ian Reed is not practicing, but he should be ready to go when the Tigers begin spring practice in a few months. He says Reed has missed practice time due to an illness.
“We are excited about him. We have seen enough coming off practice and all that, he is a tough physical kid,” the Clemson coach said. “He is like a bigger Harris. He likes to play. He wants to learn. He is very eager. He has a lot of days ahead of him.
“Hopefully, he can get this situation under control and get back out there this spring and get rolling.”
Swinney also mentioned redshirt junior John Williams is retiring from football due to medical reasons.
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
