Jordan McFadden gives Clemson offensive line experience, versatility

CLEMSON — Left tackle is often one of the most important positions on the field. When a quarterback is right-handed, offenses need a pillar to protect the blind slide.

Jackson Carman is off to the NFL, but another veteran could be ready to fill the former five-star’s shoes at the most important position along the offensive line.

Jordan McFadden is entering his redshirt senior season, and the South Carolina native became a full-time starter for the Tigers at right tackle in 2020. The 300-pound offensive lineman started every game and played nearly 800 snaps while earning second-team All-ACC honors. The veteran has come a long way since Signing Day.

McFadden was one of the lowest-ranked recruits in Clemson’s 2018 haul. The line of scrimmage player was not even considered a top-10 prospect in the state of South Carolina. After some development time, McFadden has become a starter and leader for an offensive line that is still looking to grow. The veteran recognizes there are things to improve on.

“Most importantly, I just want to be nastier,” McFadden told reporters earlier this spring. “Moving more people off the ball — putting people in the dirt, things like that. Just changing my mentality to not necessarily cocky, but being humble knowing that I can do anything against anybody on the field.”

Standing at just 6-foot-2, McFadden does not have the prototypical size of a big-time left tackle, but that hasn’t stopped the veteran from becoming a key cog on the offensive line. This is now a player that offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell can use at multiple positions. That will help tremendously when Clemson builds an offensive line over the summer.

Jordan McFadden could play either tackle spot for Clemson this fall. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Getty Images)

The Tigers have plenty of unproven pieces along the line. Matt Bockhorst figures to be a stalwart at left guard, while Andrew Putnam could hold down the right guard spot. Sophomore Walker Parks is ready to contribute at tackle. McFadden is a versatile, dependable piece that is helping lead the entire group.

“Just as a unit, I think we’re so much better,” McFadden said earlier this spring. “Last year, as everyone knows, we didn’t have much depth. We had a ton of young guys, but now those young guys have grown up.”

Those young guys need a leader, and McFadden is a good one to look up to. A former undervalued recruit who has turned into a legit offensive tackle while playing at a height disadvantage weekly. If Clemson reaches expectations in the trenches, the experience and versatility of the redshirt junior will be a big reason why.