O-line and d-line the strengths of Clemson, Dabo says

By: Tyria Goines

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CLEMSON, SC (WOLO) — Clemson returns with a strong offensive and defensive line for the 2017 football season, bringing back six players to the offensive line.

Two players, junior Mitch Hyatt and RS senior Tyrone Crowder, earned preseason All-ACC honors. The unit helped the Clemson offense rush over 2500 yards while giving up twenty sacks on nearly six hundred passing attempts. Hyatt is a pro typical left tackle and after starting the last two years could easily be the rare offensive lineman to declare for the draft with a strong 2017. Crowder has spent years learning to use techniques to compensate for his quickness in pass protection. The biggest question at this point is if Crowder’s conditioning has improved to the point he can stay on the field more often.

The unit as a whole has excellent size, with all starters but Crowder listed at over 6’4” (6’2”) and all but Hyatt listed over 315 lbs (302). At right tackle, Sean Pollard looks set to step into a starting role, with Tremayne Anchrum serving as an athletic swing tackle, training on both sides of the line. The duo shared the teams Offensive Rookie of The Year honor last season, with fellow freshman lineman John Simpson earning some minutes at guard. Simpson has impressed throughout the off season and is pushing his way up the depth chart. The sophomore OL class seems set to improve after a full off season in the system.

Clemson’s national title was on the backs of skill players of the offensive. If the Tigers hope to climb that mountain again, it’ll be on the backs of the defensive line like lineman Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. They might include  holding down opponents’ scoring as Clemson breaks several new starters, including quarterback Kelly Bryant, receivers Deon Cain and Ray-Ray McCloud and tailbacks C.J. Fuller and Tavien Feaster — all who had reserve roles last year on the way to the College Football Playoff championship.

The Tigers were staunch of defense last year, finishing eighth nationally. Clemson seems to be better protected at spots like receiver and tailback. Cain and McCloud have seen considerable action their first two seasons and highly regarded wideouts Tee Higgins and Amari Rodgers to the mix. At tailback, Fuller, Feaster and Adam Choice played several snaps the past two years and should fill the void of two-time 1,000-yard rusher Wayne Gallman.