Jordan McFadden has huge task for Tigers

CLEMSON — Clemson football’s season opener against Georgia is right around the corner. College football season will be here before we know it, and ClemsonSports.com is helping you get ready by counting down the 25 most important players for Clemson in 2021. Up next: No. 8 Jordan McFadden.

Jordan McFadden has huge task for Tigers

With a new starting quarterback and not much experience behind him, it’s critical that the Clemson offensive line keep D.J. Uiagalelei upright this season.

In order for the Tigers to get back to the College Football Playoff for a seventh consecutive year and have a shot at competing for a national title, Uiagalelei has to stay healthy.

The most important man up front for the Tigers is left tackle Jordan McFadden. The redshirt junior is No. 8 on our list of most important players for this season as he has the job of protecting Uiagalelei’s blindside.

McFadden is sliding over from right tackle to left tackle for 2021, and he believes he is ready for the transition. He played left tackle throughout his high school career before starting at right tackle for the Tigers last year.

“Basically my whole football career I played left tackle, so it’s not really necessarily new to me,” McFadden said. “I honestly feel like anywhere they put me on the offensive line I can thrive.”

His position coach Robbie Caldwell agrees.

Caldwell is honest about his offensive linemen, whether he’s praising them or criticizing them. He had plenty of praise for McFadden when speaking with the media this summer.

“Jordan just quietly goes about his business,” Caldwell said at the Clemson Media event. “He had a heck of a year last year. I mean he did a great job. I’d be shocked if he’s not the best in the league if he stays healthy.”

That’s high praise indeed.

McFadden might not have the ideal size for a left tackle as he’s listed at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds. But he’s still more than capable of getting the job done.

He started all 12 games for the Tigers last season, earning second-team All-ACC honors from PFF. He, along with left guard Matt Bockhorst, are the leaders of the offensive line.

“People look at him and he doesn’t get his due because he’s not 6-5. He’s not 6-6,” Caldwell said, adding that McFadden has been more vocal this year. “Jordan’s been a good leader. I’ve been impressed with him, because normally he doesn’t say anything. He leads by example, too.”

That was a focus for McFadden this season, along with playing with more of an attitude. The way last season ended with a loss to Ohio State provided motivation for Clemson’s entire team, including McFadden.

“Most importantly I want to be nastier, moving more people off the ball, putting people in the dirt, things like that. Just changing my mentality,” McFadden said.

Just watching film from last year… looking at the opportunities I had last year to finish people, it’s just a mentality that nobody’s going to outwork me.”

Clemson football most important players

No. 25 B.T. Potter

No. 24. K.J. Henry

No. 23 Mario Goodrich

No. 22 Lannden Zanders

No. 21 Will Putnam

No. 20 E.J. Williams

No. 19 Xavier Thomas

No. 18 Hunter Rayburn

No. 17 Baylon Spector

No. 16 Braden Galloway

No. 15 Walker Parks

No. 14 Nolan Turner

No. 13 Sheridan Jones

No. 12 Joseph Ngata

No. 11 Matt Bockhorst

No. 10 Lyn-J Dixon

No. 9 Trenton Simpson

No. 8 Jordan McFadden