Tag: Will Putnam

Uiagalelei feels he’s ‘a totally different’ QB entering 2022

D.J. Uiagalelei has never pointed fingers. And we sure know that Clemson’s starting quarterback has worn a lot of the blame. Speaking with reporters ahead of Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech Monday in Atlanta, Uiagalelei acknowledged …

D.J. Uiagalelei has never pointed fingers.

And we sure know that Clemson’s starting quarterback has worn a lot of the blame. 

Speaking with reporters ahead of Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech Monday in Atlanta, Uiagalelei acknowledged that he made mistakes last season. That there were some aspects where he could’ve done better fundamentally, as well as from a decision-making standpoint.

He’s learned from his mistakes. He knows that there are different ways he can get better from it. 

But how does Uiagalelei see himself compared to last season?

“I think I see a totally different guy,” Uiagalelei said Wednesday. “I think that guy is a lot better than from the last game (against) Georgia Tech. Someone that’s gone through it and someone who’s gotten a lot better throughout the offseason through all the hard work I put in. I definitely see a different quarterback.”

Uiagalelei wouldn’t say specifically if there was a low point during last season but maintained that he feels a lot better now than he did during his sophomore campaign.

“I think I’m just ready to go out for Game 1 and just come out and show the world what I’ve been working on,” he said.

Teammates like K.J. Henry and Will Putnam have seen what Uiagalelei has been working on, ever since he committed to shedding some weight and improving himself since Clemson’s Cheez-It Bowl win over Iowa State.

They’ve also seen him do so while absorbing criticism for his play last season.

“It wasn’t all on him,” Henry said. “And the thing is, the locker room knows that. A lot of the fans don’t. He’s done a great job of taking (the criticism) on the chest. That’s the leader you want to see in a quarterback…I think that’s probably the No. 1 thing is, he’s gonna take the bullet for us as a team, especially the offense, but it’s not always him.”

“First and foremost, it’s just a part of the quarterback position,” Putnam said. “If something goes wrong, they’re gonna get all the blame. If something goes right, they’re gonna get all the glory. I mean, us as a team, we never blamed him for anything. Because as a team, everyone has to take ownership and accountability for all our successes and all of our failures. It has to be unconditional. 

“And some of it, it’s not fair. It’s not fair to D.J. Like passes, for example, it’s not always on the quarterback. It can be on the wide receiver running the wrong route. It can be on us up front for not having the best protection that we could’ve had. And then sometimes, he just might make a mistake, which we all mistakes.”

Putnam said that the team is rallying around Uiagalelei, who he described as a “great player” and a “great teammate.”

“We love him and we want to do well,” Putnam added. “And, I think it’s also another thing up front that we’ve kind of taken as a challenge upon ourselves, is to do what we can to put him in the best opportunity for him to make the most plays.”

“I’m unbelievably thankful for all the teammates and especially Coach Swinney, who stood behind my back, stood behind me and supported me through it all,” Uiagalelei said. “I appreciate them, man. I just appreciate them for all they’ve done sticking up for me and representing me. I appreciate that a lot. It means a lot to me.”

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Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

One position up front that Swinney is ‘really proud of’ heading into the season

Clemson’s offensive line is looking for a bounceback performance this fall with some new faces in some new places. There’s one position up front in particular that has caught the eye of head coach Dabo Swinney. The Tigers return four starters along …

Clemson’s offensive line is looking for a bounceback performance this fall with some new faces in some new places.

There’s one position up front in particular that has caught the eye of head coach Dabo Swinney.

The Tigers return four starters along the offensive line from last season, though not all of them are manning the same spots. Walker Parks is set to move inside to guard with freshman Blake Miller’s emergence at right tackle, and Will Putnam is moving from guard to center after the Tigers lost their top three centers from last season.

Center is arguably the most important position up front given the position can be responsible for everything from setting protections to making checks to getting each play started with a good snap, the latter of which Swinney said Putnam has done most of the time since the spring.

Asked recently if there still have been no bad snaps from Putnam during camp, Swinney was trying to find some wood to knock on.

“He’s been excellent. Don’t jinx him,” Swinney said. “He’s been really, really good.”

In fact, Swinney said he’s been pleased with all of the Tigers’ centers leading up to Monday’s season opener against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Sophomore Trent Howard and redshirt freshman Ryan Linthicum are next up at the position and are both listed on the two-deep of Clemson’s first depth chart of the season.

“All three of our centers have done a nice job,” Swinney said. “This is rare. Usually you get into some of these dog days, you get tired and somebody is hot and sweaty, they’ll roll a ball back every now and then on an A-gap blitz or something. But I think it’s just a sign of how hard they’ve worked this summer because that’s the type of stuff that you get done in the summer. That’s summer skills and drills. That’s putting the work in when nobody’s watching.”

Swinney said the group has been steady throughout the preseason.

“I’m really proud of our centers, and I’m super proud of Putnam because he’s solid as they come,” Swinney said.

Dear Old Clemson has loaded up the online store with items like Myles Murphy signed cards and many items from our event for Clemson softball.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Clemson’s official depth chart for the Georgia Tech game

Clemson’s first depth chart for their matchup against Georgia Tech has been released.

As game day fast approaches, Clemson football released its depth chart Tuesday for their Labor Day opener against Georgia Tech.

The hype surrounding freshman tackle Blake Miller was reassured as Miller is officially listed as the Tigers’ starting right tackle for Monday’s opener, with previous starter Walker Parks shifting over to start at right guard. He will be the first true freshman to get the start at offensive tackles for the Tigers since Mitch Hyatt back in 2015.

At wide receiver, it looks like the Tigers still have some decisions to be made. Two receivers that have been dealing with injuries in camp, E.J. Williams and Beaux Collins, were listed as co-starters.

Co-starters look to be an early trend for the Tigers as on defense; there are multiple units listed with co-starters.

Here’s a full look at Clemson’s depth chart for their opening game against Georgia Tech (8 p.m./ESPN):

 

Teammate: ‘You don’t notice’ Putnam at new position

Offensive linemen are a lot like specialists in one aspect: If they’re frequently noticed by fans and coaches during the course of a game, that’s usually not a good thing. Their jobs are largely thankless and often taken for granted. But much like a …

Offensive linemen are a lot like specialists in one aspect: If they’re frequently noticed by fans and coaches during the course of a game, that’s usually not a good thing.

Their jobs are largely thankless and often taken for granted. But much like a shanked punt or a missed field goal for kickers, nothing draws eye toward a lineman quicker than a bad snap, a missed block or a penalty.

In that context, Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden said Will Putnam has been largely invisible this preseason.

“The biggest thing is you don’t notice Will, which is what you want as an offensive lineman,” McFadden said. “There’s not many or really ever any bad snaps, and he does a great job moving people.”

Putnam continues to draw rave reviews for his transition to center. The senior started the last two seasons at guard before making the move this spring, one made out of necessity with Clemson losing its top three centers from last season. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said then the plan was to seek out a starting center in the transfer portal, but Swinney’s tune changed after watching Putnam operate at his new position during the spring.

Swinney opened preseason camp by making it clear Putnam was the unquestioned starter at center. The Tigers made a similar move last season by sliding veteran Matt Bockhorst inside, which came with mixed reviews before Bockhorst suffered a career-ending knee injury late in the season. 

The real evaluation of Putnam’s move will start Monday when Clemson opens the season against Georgia Tech in Atlanta. But so far, coaches and teammates alike have had few complaints about the 6-foot-4, 315-pounder’s performance as the new anchor of the offensive line.

“Will is a great addition at center,” McFadden said. “I think we’ve needed a guy like Will at center in the past. He’s done a great job, and I think he’ll do a great job this season for sure.”

Dear Old Clemson has loaded up the online store with items like Myles Murphy signed cards and many items from our event for Clemson softball.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

For McFadden, cohesion ‘the best I’ve felt’ along Clemson’s offensive line

Jordan McFadden is entering his third season as a starter at Clemson and fifth overall, so he’s been part of plenty of offensive lines during his time with the Tigers. None have given him a stronger sense of chemistry than this one. “This is the …

Jordan McFadden is entering his third season as a starter at Clemson and fifth overall, so he’s been part of plenty of offensive lines during his time with the Tigers. 

None have given him a stronger sense of chemistry than this one.

“This is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here personally about cohesiveness,” McFadden said.

That was a glaring issue last year when injuries and ineffectiveness made for a musical chair of sorts up front. The Tigers started eight different offensive line combinations in 13 games and had three different starting centers, which factored into the offense’s dropoff as a whole.

Clemson didn’t rank better than 82nd in the Football Bowl Subdivision in yards, points or passing offense. After giving up seven sacks in the season opener against Georgia, the Tigers only allowed 14 sacks in the final 12 games and found more consistency in the running game later in the season to finish a respectable 58th nationally in rushing yards. 

Still, stability or not, McFadden said the line’s subpar performance overall has been a source of motivation for the unit heading into this season.

“I definitely think everybody has a chip on their shoulder,” he said. “It’s not so much us reading what everybody else is saying, but knowing what we’re capable of and knowing we didn’t perform to that standard of play here every game last season was disappointing. Everybody was just ready to get to work and ready to kind of show the country what we can do Sept. 5.”

Yet it’s that continuity, at least during the preseason, that has McFadden believing the group is capable of a rebound. The senior from Spartanburg is one of four starters back up front, though there have been some tweaks to the formation.

Senior Will Putnam is taking over at center after starting the last two seasons at right guard. Meanwhile, true freshman Blake Miller has soared to the top of the depth chart at right tackle for the time being, bumping junior Walker Parks inside to guard. Marcus Tate is back with a year of experience under his belt at left guard after starting eight games there last season.

But the majority of the group has been repping together since the spring. Miller, who’s in line to be the first true freshman to start a season opener at tackle for Clemson since 2015, has consistently repped with the first team since midway through preseason camp.

For a position where working in unison is key, that cohesion has drastically helped the line improve its communication, which McFadden said was “amazing” during camp.

“Last year, there was so much going on with injuries and everything, it was hard to get a set five out there the first couple of games,” McFadden said. “Just not being comfortable with everybody, but we’ve pretty much had the same five the whole camp. Moved a couple of people around, but me and Marcus are more comfortable with a year playing together and different things like that.

“I think, everybody, we’re just more cohesive, which makes a big difference in the o-line.”

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Putnam has been ‘super consistent’ in this area at new position

By all accounts, the transition to a new position has been a largely seamless one for Will Putnam, who’s taking over as Clemson’s starting center. The change for Putnam, who’s making the move from right guard, comes with more responsibility, which …

By all accounts, the transition to a new position has been a largely seamless one for Will Putnam, who’s taking over as Clemson’s starting center.

The change for Putnam, who’s making the move from right guard, comes with more responsibility, which includes helping recognize fronts on the defensive side and setting protections. But offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter said the senior has been close to his best when it comes to perhaps the most critical job at the position.

“He’s been super consistent just starting with the snaps,” Streeter said. “I mean, very, very accurate with the snaps. He’s just a tough, hard-nosed guy that’s getting the job done.”

Putnam had not snapped a ball at Clemson until the spring, when he initially made the move as a result of all the attrition the Tigers experienced at center. Head coach Dabo Swinney’s initial plan was to look to the transfer portal to bring in a immediate-impact type of player at the position – and the Tigers did miss on a couple of portal targets – but Swinney said following the spring that his mindset toward the position had changed after watching Putnam in action at his new position.

Swinney confirmed at the start of preseason camp that Putnam will enter the season as the starting center and said Putnam hasn’t had many issues snapping. Putnam enters his senior season having started 22 of the 33 games he’s played at Clemson.

“Really, really pleased with his development,” Streeter said of Putnam. “It’s very clear that he trained really hard this summer and got better this summer.”

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‘Big evaluation week’ as decisions loom on Clemson’s offensive line

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have been looking for what they consider the Tigers’ best five along the offensive line since the spring. Almost two full weeks into preseason camp, the search continues. But evaluations will have to be …

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have been looking for what they consider the Tigers’ best five along the offensive line since the spring. Almost two full weeks into preseason camp, the search continues.

But evaluations will have to be replaced with decisions in the near future. With Clemson’s first preseason scrimmage in the books and the second and final one looming later this week, offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter provided a timetable as to when the Tigers need to settle on the best starting combination up front with their Labor Day opener against Georgia Tech less than three weeks away.

“I think this week is a big evaluation week for us,” Streeter said. “We have another scrimmage on Wednesday, so being able to get more than one evaluation is critical. We’d like to get that first unit ready to go when we come back next week when we get started and start really, really ramping up game planning and ramping up just getting ready for that first game.”

Barring any major injuries between now and the first Monday in September, the majority of the unit is set. Senior Will Putnam is taking over as the starting center after moving over from guard in the spring while Marcus Tate remains the favorite to join veteran tackle Jordan McFadden on the left side of the line. 

Walker Parks is also going on his second season as a full-time starter. The most pressing questions are will the junior stay at right tackle or move inside to guard? And, based on that answer, who will be lining up beside him?

True freshman Blake Miller continues to make a push for the starting job at right tackle, a new development revealed last week when Parks said he had started cross-training at both positions. Streeter said Miller has been getting first-team reps the last two practices, which includes the scrimmage over the weekend.

“Blake has done a great job,” Streeter said. “He’s really a smart kid. He understands the big picture for being such a young guy. It’s been special to watch him work. He doesn’t say a whole lot. He’s just goes out there and gets it done. It’s really neat to watch him, and boy is he tough.

“He’s on that track to get those first-team reps.”

If that happens, Parks would slide over to guard, a position the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder has yet to rep at in a game during his time at Clemson. Streeter said Parks is still learning the nuances of the position but that he has picked things up quickly from a mental standpoint.

“He’s done really good the last couple of days,” Streeter said. “And it turns into a valuable situation where he loves playing guard but he’s played a ton at tackle, too. So we’ve got an opportunity of him to potentially play both.”

If Clemson ultimately thinks keeping Parks on the edge is the best move, that would leave Bryn Tucker, Mitchell Mayes and Dietrick Pennington among others duking it out for the starting spot at right guard since Miller is strictly a tackle for the time being. Those decisions are coming sooner rather than later.

“Next week, we need to start really honing down on what that lineup is going to look like with those best five,” Streeter said.

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Starting offensive lineman preparing to play inside or out

Walker Parks enters his junior season as half of arguably the ACC’s top tackle tandem with Jordan McFadden, having started all 13 games at right tackle for Clemson last season and logging all 1,068 of his career snaps on the edge to this point. That …

Walker Parks enters his junior season as half of arguably the ACC’s top tackle tandem with Jordan McFadden, having started all 13 games at right tackle for Clemson last season and logging all 1,068 of his career snaps on the edge to this point.

That could change this fall.

Parks has been cross-training at guard during preseason camp, a development he said initially came about at the suggestion of first-year offensive line coach Thomas Austin. Parks said he dabbled at guard in the spring but has started to split his reps more heavily over the last couple of practices. 

Thursday’s full-padded practice wasn’t open to the media for viewing, but Parks said he repped almost exclusively at right guard.

“I’m not opposed to anything,” Parks said. “I’ll play right or left. Tackle or guard. Center. I’ll play whatever they need. (The coaches) brought it up, so I said, ‘Yeah I’m game.’ So just cross-training a little bit in case something happens or I might go out there first. We’ll see who that best five is.”

The right guard spot became vacant at the start of the spring when senior Will Putnam slid over to center. Bryn Tucker was getting a majority of the first-team reps early in camp. Mitchell Mayes is also working there, though the junior was spotted early in camp with a brace on his left arm.

Trent Howard is also capable of lining up at guard, but Parks is now in the mix. After playing around 300 pounds last season, Parks weighed in last week at 314 pounds. It’s an addition Park said he needs in case he finds himself lining up on the interior in games.

“Definitely happy with it,” Parks said. “If I move inside and play a little bit of right guard, I’ve got my weight up.”

When Parks takes practice reps on the inside, true freshman Blake Miller has been stepping in to get the first-team reps at right tackle. The objective for the Tigers’ coaching staff is to evaluate the group and piece together what it believes are the best starting five for Clemson’s Labor Day opener against Georgia Tech.

For Parks, that could apparently be inside or out.

“Day 1, I might go out there at guard or might go out there at tackle,” Parks said. “We’ll just see how it shakes out.”

Dear Old Clemson has added to the store posters signed by all 20 members of Clemson’s 2022 football class.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Nine Tigers named to East-West Shrine Bowl 1000

Nine Clemson Tigers have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 ahead of the upcoming college football season. The longest-running college all-star football game in the nation, the East-West Shrine Bowl gives top college players the …

Nine Clemson Tigers have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 ahead of the upcoming college football season.

The longest-running college all-star football game in the nation, the East-West Shrine Bowl gives top college players the opportunity to showcase their talents to NFL scouts and a national television audience.

This year, the bowl released its East-West Shrine Bowl 1000. Here’s how the list was put together:

Every year, approximately 1000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp. Our aim is for this Shrine Bowl 1000 to serve as a look into our scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2023 NFL draft class.

This list was extremely difficult for our team to put together, scouring players from all four levels of football and speaking with NFL and college personnel to ensure we put together the best 1000 players for the NFL level.

As the East-West Shrine Bowl strives to be a best-in-class event, we’re excited to feature these talented 1000 players and over 200 college programs as they strive to be at their best for the 2022 college season.

So, which Clemson players are on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000?

Here’s all the Tigers that appear on the list:

Davis Allen, Tight End

Tyler Davis, Defensive Tackle

K.J. Henry, Defensive End

Sheridan Jones, Cornerback

Jordan McFadden, Offensive Lineman

Joseph Ngata, Wide Receiver

Ruke Orhorhoro, Defensive Tackle

Will Putnam, Offensive Lineman

Xavier Thomas, Defensive End

https://twitter.com/EricGalko/status/1556684719512862721

Clemson lineman listed as one of 247Sports’ most underrated players

After being one of four Tigers to start in all 13 games last season, one of Clemson’s offensive linemen may not be receiving the national recognition he deserves.

One of Clemson’s offensive linemen may not be receiving the national recognition he deserves ahead of the 2022 college football season.

While the Tigers’ offensive line struggled at times last season, 247Sports’ Matt Howe recently listed the most underrated college football players, and Clemson offensive tackle Jordan McFadden made the cut.

Here’s what Howe had to say about the Clemson veteran.

Clemson’s offensive line, as a unit, was pretty abysmal last season which could contribute to McFadden’s relative obscurity on a bigger stage. Having played both tackle spots for the Tigers, McFadden has a wealth of experience with 1,971 career snaps over 42 games. He may be undersized for a typical tackle at 6-foot-2, 310 pounds, but he uses his power and leverage to excel in both pass pro and run blocking. If D.J. Uiagalelei returns to form next season, McFadden’s protection should be a big reason why.

McFadden will play his fifth season at Clemson this year and is undoubtedly the most experienced and proven blocker the Tigers have.

He was one of four Tigers on both offense and defense to start in all 13 games last season, earning Second-Team All-ACC honors.

With another year of experience among the entire offensive line room, McFadden is looking to perform better as a unit.

“I know this year, guys got another year under their belt, and they’re getting bigger, more knowledgeable, and I think everybody is just super excited to put on display the work that we’ve put in,” McFadden said at ACC media day earlier this month. “I know I’m super confident in the guys that I have in my room, and I’m super excited for the season.”

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