We’re highlighting 10 players whose contributions will be absolutely crucial if Clemson is to achieve 10+ regular season wins and remain in the top tier of college football. In this article, we focus on how Tristan Leigh can become Mitch Hyatt 2.0!
Clemson’s success from 2015-2020 required more than just a great QB or top-tier defense. Key components of their 2016 and 2018 title-winning teams were found across the lines of scrimmage, demonstrating the importance of strong offensive and defensive lines in football.
While skill position players often receive the most attention, the line-of-scrimmage is where games are won and lost. This was evident in 2008 when Clemson, despite having strong skill players, was dominated by Alabama due to a weaker line presence.
Except for the 2019 LSU team, the most dominant team up front has won every title since the playoff era began. Last season, Georgia was still likely the best team up front but missed out on the title, leaving Michigan, with the best fronts in the final four, to win the championship. When the line-of-scrimmage battle is close, positions like quarterback can make the ultimate difference, as seen with DeShaun Watson in 2016 and Joe Burrow in 2019.
Clemson must regain strength up front on both sides before focusing on what Cade Klubnik or others can achieve. The defensive front has returned to a formidable level, but the offensive line has yet to match the unit anchored by the dependable Mitch Hyatt. Hyatt, a four-year starter, was a cornerstone of Clemson’s playoff teams from 2015-2019.
Tristan Leigh, a 5-star recruit like Hyatt, is set to start at left tackle for the 2024 Tigers. While COVID-shutdowns affected his readiness, Leigh emerged last season to start 11 games and log 756 snaps, third on the OL behind Blake Miller and Will Putnam. Clemson, on paper, should have a solid OL except at center. Leigh’s growth and health will need to provide the coaching staff with the reliability they enjoyed with Hyatt. Dabo Swinney and Robbie Caldwell often praised Hyatt for his steady and dependable performance.
The hope is that another year of weight work, combined with last season’s experience and Matt Luke’s coaching, will produce the best version of Tristan Leigh. He needs to improve as a run blocker but was solid in pass protection last season. The progress will be tested early against Georgia, the current benchmark for line-of-scrimmage dominance. While Clemson doesn’t need to outperform Georgia up front, they need to be competitive enough to leverage other strengths and potentially spring an upset, similar to Alabama’s win in last season’s SEC title game. At the very least, avoiding other defeats could secure another playoff opportunity for Clemson in 2024-25.
