CLEMSON – Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney announced Wednesday that offensive lineman Ryan Linthicum has won the battle for the starting center spot.
The fourth-year player beat out Trent Howard and Harris Sewell in the battle for the position. Linthicum will play his first collegiate game Saturday (noon, ET, ABC) against No. 1 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Swinney announced the news when asked how many offensive linemen he plans to use in his final available roster before Clemson’s Week 1 game.
“The only one who hasn’t started yet is Linthicum,” Swinney said. “He’ll be making his first start.”
The redshirt junior, who has played in just nine games in three seasons, came out of spring practice as the starter and has kept control during preseason workouts. Linthicum’s first test will be against the Bulldogs, a team that ranked ninth in total defense last year.
Clemson’s projected starting offensive line consists of Tristan Leigh (left tackle), Marcus Tate (left guard), Linthicum (center), Walker Parks (right guard) and Blake Miller (right tackle). Collin Sadler, Trent Howard and Harris Sewell are among the offensive linemen that Swinney and offensive line coach Matt Luke are most comfortable with behind the starting lineup.
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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
