With Clemson off to a disappointing start after such high expectations entering the season, some fans have wondered about some of the younger players shutting it down, looking to preserve a redshirt season.

Veteran offensive lineman Ryan Linthicum was asked on Tuesday if he’s witnessed any hint of that inside the Tigers’ locker room with the team sitting at 1-3.

“We really don’t have the specific problem with young guys shutting it down,” he said.

Having been in that exact scenario in the past, Linthicum has taken it upon himself to speak with some of the younger offensive linemen on the team about how crucial it is to have patience at this level.

“I have talked to a few younger o-linemen, because it is tough, you are a highly recruited guy coming out of high school and you don’t really play as much as you want,” Linthicum said. “But I can speak from experience. I have been through that.”

Linthicum didn’t see the field much over his first three seasons at Clemson. It wasn’t until he was a redshirt junior that he earned the starting role at center, a spot he’s held onto since.

With this being his final season, Linthicum is doing his part to ensure there is someone ready to step into his role in 2026.

“I just try to keep instilling faith in those young guys that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Linthicum added. “That if you keep your head down and work and work, there will be opportunity. And when the opportunity comes, you have to be prepared because opportunity really only comes once in a game like this, at a level like this. You play at Clemson.”

“The worst thing to see is when a young guy gives up on a process, so I have just been really trying to instill in some of those young guys, especially young centers, because I am going to be gone next year, that their time will come.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright