CLEMSON – There’s a reason Dabo Swinney and Clemson didn’t try to sign a center from the transfer portal after the spring game.
They like who they already have.
In the spring, Ryan Linthicum, Harris Sewell and Trent Howard battled to see who would replace two-time All-CC center Will Putnam. Linthicum came into the game in the spring as the starter heading into fall camp and has done nothing to lose that title, although Clemson has not released an official roster for the game against Georgia.
“We looked at one guy in January because we weren’t sure, and then a couple others that didn’t work out. So we said, ‘Let’s see how it goes this spring and then we can move on in May.’ Then, at the end of the spring, we had a different feeling, especially because Matt was able to spend a whole spring with these guys,” Swinney said. “So we’re confident.”
Linthicum is the man the Tigers had hoped would get the job, specializing in the position where Sewell and Howard coach at other positions on the offensive line.
Linthicum, a redshirt junior, is entering his fourth season in the Clemson program.
“Ryan has done a great job,” Swinney said. “He’s very smart and in the best shape he’s ever been in. He’s done a great job of getting his body where it needs to be.”
Linthicum, who stands 6-foot-3, weighed 300 pounds at the start of fall camp, his lowest weight since arriving at Clemson in 2021.
Swinney said Sewell got better with his snaps over the summer and camp, while Howard was “Steady Eddie” in the spring and in camp.
“Harris and Trent also play a lot of guard. Ryan only plays center, but we have a good feeling about the group,” said Clemson’s head coach. “I’m proud of these guys. They have been very consistent.”
Clemson, the 14th-ranked team in the AP poll, begins preparations Sunday against top-ranked Georgia. The Tigers and Bulldogs will play Aug. 31 (noon/ABC) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
