CLEMSON — It’s no secret, Clemson was not good on the offensive line in 2025.

The Tigers struggled to run the football. They struggled to protect their quarterback, and they struggled to keep defenses out of the backfield.

Some of that was due to injuries. Some of that was due to a lack of experience. Some of it was due to a lack of fundamentals and some of it was due to skill.

Offensive line coach Matt Luke and new offensive coordinator Chad Morris went into the transfer portal hoping to find an experience guard and/or tackle, but instead lost in the bidding world of NIL and revenue sharing.

As a result, Clemson returns just two starters with multiple years of experience in Collin Sadler and Harris Sewell. However, Sewell will start at center, a position he has mostly played as fill in the last two years.

Guard Elyjah Thurmon and tackle Brayden Jacobs are back after suffering season-ending injuries in 2025 and will be responsible to anchor the left side of the line. Easton Ware will likely start at right tackle, who is coming off a shoulder injury.

“Competition makes everybody better and we have competition at every position and I think that’s what you’re talking about,” Luke said. “The quarterback position and all that, competition makes everybody better at every position and I think that’s the fun part about coaching this team and this group.

“The hunger and the edge and everybody’s fighting for a spot, and I think that makes everybody better.”

It might also help that Clemson has a different mindset than it had the last few years. The goal of this year’s offense is to run the football first, which was not necessarily the idea last year under old coordinator Garrett Riley.

The Tigers mostly worked on the passing game in practices last year, which showed up on game days. The offensive line did not always play with the right mindset and physicality it takes to make those tough yards when you need it the most.

It is the ole adage, “Practice makes perfect.” But Clemson did not practice running the football enough, which showed in its 3.9 yards per carry, and 124.5 yards per game.

“Our challenge is how our five are going to be better than our five from last year,” Luke said. “Like that’s the challenge. You don’t have to be better at one individual spot. You have to be better collectively with how you play together, with how you finish, with your mindset.”

And that is what the Tigers will be working on when camp opens on Thursday afternoon behind the Allen Reeves Football Complex.