How Will Putnam can revamp Tigers offensive line

CLEMSON —  Having players with experience, smarts and toughness is pivotal to the success of an offensive line.

Will Putnam brings all those attributes to the table. After starting every game for Clemson last season, the junior should be a key piece of what should be an improved Tigers unit.

Putnam was ranked No. 101 in the class of 2019 by the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, while being a top-five guard in the country. The Tampa (Fla.) Plant product was a high-profile player at a legitimate high school power. Putnam played both sides of the ball during his prep career, recording 63 tackles. He also won a state title in wrestling. The fact that the jumbo athlete got playing time as a true freshman was no surprise.

Putnam played in 11 games in 2019, receiving spot duty on the interior of the offensive line. The former blue-chipper got the job done in the classroom, becoming an ACC Honor Roll selection as a true freshman. The young player immediately proved himself on the college level and the result was a starting job as a sophomore.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive lineman started all 12 games this past season, logging 790 snaps. Putnam was a reliable piece in the trenches and helped lead the way for an offense that finished 15th nationally in yards per play. However, the offensive line had some disappointing moments and Putnam will try to help change that in 2021.

“We’re way ahead in the offensive line than this time last year. It’s not even close,” head coach Dabo Swinney told the media about the offensive line earlier this spring. “And I’m excited about that because I do think we’ll be able to come out of this fall camp with hopefully 10 or 11 guys, which is what we’re used to. But part of that is experimenting and cross-training guys and developing different types of chemistry, different types of roles.”

Will Putnam will be a key piece of Clemson’s offensive line. (Will Putnam/Instagram)

The offensive line is a position where size, smarts, toughness, and physicality all shine through. The five guys working together in unison must share those traits. Putnam was an All-ACC Academic Team selection in 2020 to go along with experience and a high school wrestling background. This is a player who has all of the necessary tools to succeed. If some players need to move around, Putnam should be one of the top candidates to do that.

When Clemson makes a big jump on the offensive line this season, the junior guard from Florida and his skill set could be a big reason why.