What a disappointment the Clemson offensive line has been.
Last season, the group’s first under Matt Luke, the unit showed a lot of progress, and with so much experience returning, this offensive line was believed to possibly be one of Dabo Swinney’s best. So far, it’s been one of his worst.
Tristan Leigh and Walker Parks missing multiple games sure hasn’t helped the cause, but the Tigers came into the season only needing to replace one starter and had guys like Harris Sewell and Collin Sadler waiting in the wings. Not to mention Elyjah Thurmon, who showed so much promise as a freshman a season ago.
On paper, this looked like it could be the best offensive line in the ACC, but through four games, it’s been one of the league’s worst. What makes that even more confounding is the fact that Matt Luke is their coach.
Luke has long been viewed as one of the best offensive line coaches in the country. His track record for development speaks for itself. From 1999-2019, Luke had a hand in the development of 42 all-conference selections and 27 NFL Draft picks, including two first-rounders. Those are the qualifications of an excellent coach.
However, despite the pedigree, something’s getting lost in translation this season, and it isn’t that Luke has suddenly forgotten how to coach. Whatever the reason, the Tigers just aren’t playing well up front. In the most recent loss to Syracuse, every offensive lineman but one graded below average.
Take a look at the PFF grades from the loss to the Orange. 60 is average, and anything below 50 is considered poor.
- Blake Miller: 56.2
- Ryan Linthicum: 68.2
- Collin Sadler: 58.5
- Tristan Leigh: 58.1
- Elyjah Thurmon: 46.2
- Walker Parks: 54.8
- Harris Sewell: 46.9
Those numbers just aren’t very good. Linthicum is the only offensive lineman for Clemson that grades inside the Top 50 nationally for pass blocking. His grade of 77.5 ranks No. 42.
The Tigers have several who are grading out below average to this point in the season.
- Harris Sewell: 48.9
- Elyjah Thurmon: 57
- Tristan Leigh: 52.6
- Collin Sadler: 55.5
Those are some of the lowest grades on the team, regardless of position. While a lot of the offense’s failures have been laid at the feet of starting quarterback Cade Klubnik, there is plenty of blame to go around, and this offensive line has played a major role in the 1-3 start to the season.
Photo by Bart Boatwright