Tag: Blake Miller

Clemson gets outstanding news as two stars on the OL announce their future plans

Clemson’s offense could be one of the best in the country next season.

Clemson’s offensive line is poised to carry significant experience into the 2025 season, as two key players have announced their return.

Blake Miller and Tristan Leigh posted a statement on Instagram declaring their intentions to play for the Tigers next year. Their decision means Clemson will retain four of its five starting offensive linemen, with only Marcus Tate departing after exhausting his eligibility.

Miller has been a cornerstone of the Tigers’ offensive line, entering 2025 with 41 career starts. His consistent performance earned him first-team All-ACC honors in 2024, highlighting his importance to Clemson’s offensive success. Leigh has also been a vital contributor, with 32 career appearances and 23 starts, showcasing his versatility and reliability across multiple seasons.

Their return provides stability to an offensive line that will aim to protect the quarterback and open up opportunities for the Tigers’ run game in the upcoming season. As Clemson looks to improve upon its 2024 campaign, the experience and leadership of Miller and Leigh will play a pivotal role in the team’s success.

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Saints’ scouts have attended back-to-back Clemson games

The New Orleans Saints have had scouts including Jeff Ireland at the last two Clemson football matchups against Stanford and Florida State:

The New Orleans Saints scouting department is always out in force throughout the year, and sometimes you can get an idea of who they are looking at based on where their scouts are seen. They’re already hard at work  assembling the team’s big board of prospects for thee 2025 NFL draft.

In the last two weeks, they have been seen at Clemson matchups. Firstly, Jeff Ireland was in the press box for Clemson versus Stanford on Sept. 28 per Tiger Illustrated’s Toby Corriston. Then there were scouts from the Saints at Doak Campbell Stadium to watch Florida State against Clemson, per The State Newspaper’s Chapel Fowler.

These two matchups ended in wins for the Clemson Tigers, which, depending on whether or not the Saints were specifically there to see them or not, could be a good indication for their scouting process of certain players. As of now, some of the top prospects from Clemson are:

  • RT Blake Miller (No. 55 on PFF big board)
  • LB Barrett Carter (No. 82 on PFF big board)
  • QB Cade Klubnik (No. 161 on PFF big board)
  • TE Jake Briningstool (No. 185 on PFF big board)

Each of these positions could be positions of need no doubt, especially tight end as the production from that position has been less than expected this season. All of these four players also fit into the usual height weight metrics for the Saints, especially so for Blake Miller who registers in at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds. We will see how this progresses throughout the season and if they are seen again at Clemson, as they recently dipped into the Tigers’ talent pool in 2023 taking Bryan Bresee.

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Seven Clemson Tigers make list of Top 150 college football players for 2024 season

Barrett Carter and Peter Woods were the two highest-ranked Clemson players on CBS Sports’ list, which also included T.J. Parker, Demonte Capehart, Phil Mafah, Khalil Barnes and Blake Miller.

CBS Sports unveiled its rankings of the Top 151 college football players entering the 2024 season Monday. Seven Clemson players made the list.

As with ESPN’s rankings last week, senior linebacker Barrett Carter was the Tigers’ top-ranked player at No. 24 overall. Carter ranked one spot ahead of Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison and one spot below Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris on CBS Sports’ list.

College football analyst Blake Brockermeyer said of Carter:

“A versatile three-down ‘backer who likes to play in the opponent’s backfield, Barrett is an explosive and high-ceiling talent who has enormous potential and upside as a former 5-star recruit. A converted high school safety prospect, Carter has the ability to match up vs. tight ends and backs in coverage and did not allow a touchdown last season. He missed too many tackles, 12, last season in the box and can do a better job of finishing in the run game. Cleaning that up is likely a big reason he returned for his senior season. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is gone, now it’s Carter’s turn to be the star of Clemon’s defense.”

ESPN had Carter ranked as the No. 15 overall player in college football. The Peach State native has been named to various preseason All-America teams and award watch lists, including the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Wuerffel Trophy.

In three seasons with the Tigers, Carter is credited with 170 tackles (21 for loss), nine sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 38 games.

Carter was the highest-ranked ACC player on CBS Sports’ list, which also included defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 76 overall), defensive lineman T.J. Parker (No. 78), defensive tackle Demonte Capehart (No. 98), running back Phil Mafah (No. 109), safety Khalil Barnes (No. 116) and offensive tackle Blake Miller (No. 138).

Woods has been on various preseason All-America teams and watch lists, including the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

CBS Sports ranked Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter the No. 1 overall player in the nation entering the 2024 season.

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and commentary.

Offensive Tackle Blake Miller discusses Clemson’s coaching change

Tigers’ offensive tackle Blake Miller shared some thoughts on Clemson’s recent coaching change.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program made a big move, bringing in Matt Luke as the team’s new offensive line coach to replace former offensive line coach Thomas Austin.

Luke is now with the team and working as the Tigers prepare for their Gator Bowl matchup against Kentucky. With a new coach, offensive tackle Blake Miller met with the media Tuesday and discussed the change in leadership.

“There’s nothing I can do about it and all I can do is give him my all every day and do the best that I can and try to be the best player that I can. It’s a business at the end of the day, and whatever coach Swinney does, I’m going to roll with,” Miller said.

Things change fast in sports, but Luke is a coach who is built for a job like this. With over 20 years of experience as an offensive line coach, co-offensive coordinator, and head coach, he’s experienced and prepared. Miller shared some of what he’s seen from Luke early in his time back with the program.

“He’s a very high-energy guy. I think he really brings the energy to practice, and it’s infectious with everyone. I think everyone’s flying around and doing great out there, and there’s some new techniques to learn… he’s told us, he wants us to go 100%, and we can work on the technique after, and we can go ever it in film so I really enjoy it,” Miller said

We’re hoping for big things from Luke as the Tigers’ new offensive line coach.

Where Clemson ranks in Athlon Sports Top 20 Offensive Lines for 2023

Clemson has one of the best offensive lines in college football heading into the 2023 season.

Many factors go into building a strong offense in college football and the NFL, and one of the most essential pieces of a successful offense is the offensive line.

Your offense will likely suffer if you aren’t winning the battle up front. Heading into the 2023 season, Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik will be playing behind one of the best offensive line units in the country.

Led by center Will Putnam, Clemson’s offensive line is better than many expect. According to Athlon Sports’ top 20 offensive lines for 2023, the Tigers unit is the No.15 best in the country.

Sophomore Blake Miller was one of the best freshmen in the country in 2022 and should further improve as he moves back to his natural position of right tackle. Walker Parks and Marcus Tate make up a strong duo at guard, with the real questions on this offensive line coming at left tackle. 

There is talent at the position but questions on who will end up the starter. It sounds like redshirt sophomore Tristan Leigh has the edge right now, but redshirt freshman Collin Sadler has created competition. 

This offensive line needs a big year for the Tigers to make a run at the College Football Playoff.

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247Sports names tackle Blake Miller a hidden gem with the potential to be one of college football’s best

Blake Miller has the potential to be one of the best in college football.

Blake Miller was one of the best freshman offensive linemen in the country in 2022 and heading into his sophomore season, expectations are high for the Tigers‘ young tackle.

Those who know Clemson football have an idea of just how good Miller is but there are likely who don’t have a true grasp on the capabilities of Clemson’s star offensive lineman. A consensus freshman All-American, the future looks bright for Miller.

247Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer feels the same, recently releasing an article naming Miller a hidden gem with the potential to be one of college football’s best ($). According to Brockermeyer, Miller won’t be flying under the radar much longer.

Clemson right tackle Blake Miller won’t be flying under the radar for too much longer. Miller put together an impressive freshman campaign, starting all 14 games and earning consensus freshman All-American status. Clemson is stockpiled with talent as usual this season but I think Miller is among the team’s best players and a future three-and-out guy with early-round NFL potential.

The future is bright for Miller, who will only get better with more experience. He will be an integral part of the Tigers success in 2023 as the anchor of the Clemson offensive line. Brockermeyer expects a big season out of him.

It’s only fitting that Miller is from Strongsville, Ohio, as he shows excellent natural strength and athleticism for a 6-foot-6, 315 pound player who has yet to fully develop. Miller is likely to make a huge jump in 2023 with the experience he gained last season. The game will slow down in Year 2 for Miller as he’s seen it all, both in the valuable game experience from last year and also going against a deep and talented defensive line every day in practice only makes you much better. I would not be surprised, and in fact I somewhat expect, that Clemson kicks him out to left tackle in 2023 to protect Cade Klubnik’s blind side. Miller played there in high school and was excellent.

The Tigers’ offensive line will need to perform at a high level this season for the team to have an opportunity to at another college football playoff appearance. Expect Miller to lead the way up front.

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Swinney and Austin discuss Clemson’s left tackle competition

Clemson will have a new starting left tackle this season after Jordan McFadden departed for the NFL.

Clemson’s coaches aren’t committing to a starter at left tackle heading into fall camp.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Dabo Swinney gave no firm timeline on when the team will announce a starting left tackle.

“I hope we have a long time before we decide because I hope it’s that competitive; I think it’s going to be,” Swinney said.

While Swinney didn’t assure any one specific player will start, he expressed his confidence in a redshirt sophomore to block Cade Klubnik’s blindside.

“If you told me Tristan Leigh was going to start for us at left tackle right now, I’m sleeping just fine. I got no problem with that,” Swinney said. “That guy, he’s a winner, and he cares. It’s amazing the transformation that has happened in him.”

As a true freshman in 2021, Leigh played 20 snaps while redshirting. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, he played 50 snaps last season as a reserve.

Clemson offensive line coach Thomas Austin was also non-committal and said the team could play multiple players early on in the year. But Austin did say that Leigh “pulled away a little bit” since the end of last season and has a slight advantage over redshirt freshman Collin Sadler.

“Nothin Collin didn’t do well; it’s just Tristan had a really good spring,” Austin said. “Those guys both have different skill sets and bring different things to the table.”

Jordan McFadden was the Tigers’ starting left tackle for the past two seasons before he left for the NFL.

Now, Clemson needs to find his replacement. And, ultimately, it will come down to who the best five is, Swinney said, even if that means shifting some of last year’s starters around to different spots.

“There are so many scenarios that could play out,” Swinney added. “But I will say this, regardless of how it all shakes as far as who will run out there Labor Day night, as far as the first five, I think this will be a year so different from years past. I think you’ll see us play probably 10 guys a game, minimum.”

If Clemson stays the course from last season, Marcus Tate will start at left guard, Will Putnam will start at center, Walker Parks will start at right guard and Blake Miller will start at right tackle.

At that point, the Tigers would just need to determine who runs out with the first team at the left tackle position.

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PFF names 16 Tigers to their 2023 Preseason All-ACC Team

A total of 16 Tigers were named to PFF’s 2023 Preseason All-ACC Team.

Heading into the 2023 college football season, the Clemson football program will battle to remain the top dogs in the ACC with Mike Norvell and the Florida State Seminoles. 

The ACC will be strong next season, but at the top of the conference should be the Tigers and the Seminoles. Two programs with a ton of talent and much to prove in 2023. 

The amount of talent these two programs have is prevalent in Pro Football Focus’ 2023 Preseason All-ACC Team, where Clemson and FSU had the most players make the team. However, it was the Tigers who had the most members, with 16 names making the cut. 

Here is a look at every Tiger who made PFF’s 2023 Preseason All-ACC team.

FIRST TEAM

RB Will Shipley

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

CB Nate Wiggins

SECOND TEAM

WR Antonio Williams

TE Jake Briningstool

G Marcus Tate

DI Tyler Davis

DI Ruke Orhorhoro

LB Barrett Carter

S R.J, Mickens

RS Will Shipley

THIRD TEAM

QB Cade Klubnik

T Blake Miller

C Will Putnam

Edge Xavier Thomas

S Jalyn Phillips

Flex Andrew Mukuba

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3 offensive keys to a Clemson win over Syracuse

Here are three offensive keys for the Tigers to walk away with a win over Syracuse.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program are currently undefeated with a 7-0 (5-0 ACC) record as they head into a home matchup against a tough Syracuse team.

The Tigers are coming off of a solid 34-28 win over Florida State, where the team dominated most of the game but took their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter, allowing FSU to make things a little more interesting. No.5 Clemson cannot afford to do the same Saturday against No.14 Syracuse and will have to play their best football. 

The offense will need to continue to perform, while the defense will have to step up to stop a top-tier running back in Sean Tucker a week after getting thrashed on the ground by the Seminoles.

Here are three offensive keys for the Tigers to keep their undefeated season alive against Syracuse.

Five Clemson players to keep an eye on against Boston College

Clemson will look to win its sixth game of the season on Saturday, and here are five Tigers to watch vs. Boston College.

Coming off back-to-back ranked wins, No. 5 Clemson will look to win its sixth game of the 2022 season on Saturday against the Boston College Eagles.

Sitting at 5-0 on the season, the Tigers have pushed past two of their most difficult games of 2022, but they are not taking the Eagles lightly.

Clemson defeated Boston College by six points in each of the last two matchups, including last year’s game between the two teams, when it came down to a game-winning fumble recovery by defensive end K.J. Henry late in the fourth quarter.

Boston College has struggled this season, but there will be plenty of juice from the Eagles, as the game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. EDT primetime kickoff, and it’s the Eagles’ Red Bandana game.

That said, here are five Tigers fans should keep a close eye on against Boston College.