When the term “most important” is given when describing a ranking of one player over another, it does not necessarily describe who the best players are on a team. Instead, it tells us the main or most important part of the team, without which it cannot really exist.
In other words, could Clemson have reached the College Football Playoff Championship Game last year without Deshaun Watson? And would they have had him there had those other “important” players had not been in place either.
Who are Clemson’s “Most Important Players” for 2016? We at The Clemson Insider have our own ideas, and today we reveal who is No. 2.
Mitch Hyatt
Let’s face it we all know who the most important player on Clemson’s 2016 roster is. He is the same guy that would be classified as the Most Valuable Player. So if Deshaun Watson is “The Most Important Player” doesn’t it make sense that the guy who has to protect his blindside is the second most important player?
Everyone knew Mitch Hyatt was going to be a standout football player for Clemson, but I don’t expect many believed he would be that good as a true freshman. Usually, it will take a really good high school offensive lineman two years to adjust, learn and grow into a college offensive linemen. But Hyatt was better than just really good in high school, and when Isaiah Battle left the Clemson team last summer, Hyatt was instantly moved to starting left tackle.
To be honest, as good as Battle is, Hyatt is already better and that was evident in his first season. He earned All-ACC third team honors as a true freshman and was a Freshman All-American as well. Former left guard Eric Mac Lain said Hyatt was so good they never had to assist him in a game. He always had his area taken care of which allowed the Mac Lain and others to focus elsewhere.
It was easy to see how well Hyatt was doing. According to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, he knew he was doing well because no one in the media was asking about him, which means he was doing his job.
No one is asking about Hyatt these days, but they sure are praising him. The sophomore, who had 37 pancake blocks last year, is listed on just about every preseason All-ACC and All-American teams, one of nine Tigers on these summer time lists.
“The speed of the game is a lot slower for me,” Hyatt said. “I can sit back and comprehend everything. I can sit back and work on technique instead of worrying about learning the plays.”
And that gives him more time to have Deshaun Watson’s back, which makes him very important to the Tigers’ success in 2016.
—Photo Credit Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports
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