CLEMSON — Clemson’s Ryan Linthicum ran down Memorial Stadium’s hill to a starting job for the first time in his home career on Sept. 7. 

Following his early enrollment at Clemson in January of 2021, the redshirt junior spent years behind the scenes, learning from veterans like fellow centers Will Putnam and Trent Howard. 

Linthicum recorded 103 career snaps in his first three years with the Tigers. In the first two games of 2024, he has already appeared in 109. Head coach Dabo Swinney even gave him the honorary title of offensive MVP throughout two games following the recent win over Appalachian State in which the offensive line gave up no sacks. 

The key to Linthicum’s success? Trusting the process. 

“It’s just awesome to see the guys believe in me,” Linthicum said. “It’s been a great process to stay here.” 

He shared that in his situation, “a lot of people like to leave, but I knew that [Clemson] was the place… I’m loyal to Clemson and they’re loyal to me.”

The Damascus, Md., native expressed that his head coach pushed him to compete in the “crockpot,” or the “mix,” against other offensive linemen in daily practices throughout his tenure at Clemson. He defines the crockpot as a place to improve and credits it for his mental and physical growth throughout his career.

“It was just really showing up every day, learning how to practice, learning from the older guys, taking every rep like a game rep, and coming here every day and working,” Linthicum said.

In the years far away from a starting role, Swinney told Linthicum, “If you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, you will.”

Years later, he keeps this as a mantra.

“For three years, it was tough, but it made me a better man, and I thank Swinney for that.”

Linthicum is positioned to make his third career start Saturday when the Tigers take on the NC State Wolfpack Saturday (noon, ABC).

–Photo by Kevin Vandervort