Clemson offensive line bolstered by healthy Parks, Tate

Clemson right guard Walker Parks (64) played most of last season with an injured left ankle. The senior, fully healthy, hopes to boost a veteran offensive line. Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina

CLEMSON — If Clemson offensive lineman Walker Parks was a truck, there was a big ole boot anchoring down one of his wheels most of last season.

It was his left ankle, which twisted unnaturally when Parks, hips turned, took a hit in pass protection against N.C. State. To neutralize the torn ligament, the Clemson training staff applied a soft cast. Then it was taped and dressed with a spat, and reinforced with an ankle bracelet. And that was taped over, again.

"By the time you do that, you have a cement foot," Parks said.

Heavy feet aren't especially unhelpful for pulling offensive guards, motoring a 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame to block defenders in space. It wasn't easy to get in gear this fall, either, having missed spring practices for ankle surgery.

But as Parks told one of his coaches in fall camp, it's a relief to just be on the field again ahead of his senior season.

"It’s kind of like a rusty truck you find in your grandpa’s barn right now," Parks said earlier this month. "I need some polishing. New wheels. Maybe some gas. But getting back to it, and working on getting better every day."

This Clemson offensive line, at its best, has a chance to be a well-oiled machine.

It just has to reinstall some important pieces.

Parks plugs back in at right guard. At the other guard, Marcus Tate has returned from a kneecap he busted last November, tearing his medial collateral ligament (MCL), medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), and part of his patella tendon.

Tate and Parks are joined by two other returning starters on the line, center Will Putnam and right tackle Blake Miller, and a fifth starter to be named at left tackle. But it's the Tigers' hope that Tate and Parks, mended and matured, change the complexion of the offensive line.

"Walker Parks healthy is going to be one of our biggest keys to this offense." Putnam said at ACC media days in July. "I know people are talking left tackle, stuff like that. How's (quarterback) Cade (Klubnik) going to do? But I think a guy who is already established, which is Walker Parks, being able to truly now push and become even better — I think is going to be great for us."

Parks reflects on last season and his frustrations trying to move laterally on an outside zone and failing to reach his assigned defender. But the Tigers' offensive line has reasons for dissatisfaction that reach back years.

As a freshman in 2020, Parks was a "swing" tackle who saw sporadic snaps. As a sophomore, he was a full-time starter at right tackle, but numerous injuries and far too little experience was a disastrous combo for Clemson's offense.

"We got our butts kicked a couple times, and it was because of us up front, absolutely," Parks said. "People can say what they want, but, I mean, we weren’t producing up front. If you don’t have an offensive line, you don’t have anything."

The line took a step forward last season, but Putnam and Parks were adjusting to new roles at center and guard, respectively. Miller was steady for a freshman tackle, but he had his down moments. And then injuries to left tackle Jordan McFadden, Parks, and Tate degraded the line's effectiveness late.

While it's still uncertain who will replace McFadden at left tackle, it's been a while since Clemson has returned this many starters on the offensive line. Tristan Leigh, one of the frontrunners at left tackle, heads into his third season.

"Most of the time, you look at the offensive line, it’s a development position, and it takes three or four years to get guys ready," Parks said, "and we’re finally at that point now."

Putnam is a fifth-year senior.

Parks enters his fourth year, healthy.

Tate, a junior, has started at left guard since his freshman year, and even an injury and rehab felt like a valuable experience.

"I worked really hard, and now that I have my opportunity to play again, I won’t take it for (granted)," Tate said. "Everything I do is for love now."

Tate senses a similar feel amongst his linemates, who have built camaraderie through months and years together. They not only expect to have a cohesive starting five, but also reserves who can rotate into the game.

"Our starting five played 106 reps against Tennessee," Tate said of Clemson's Orange Bowl loss. "I don’t think we’re trying to do that this year."

Parks recalled facing the Vols, far from effective with a heavy left foot. He thought back even earlier in 2022, to last year's fall camp, feeling sorry for himself as the Tigers sweated out practices at Jervey Meadows.

Bring it forward a year, and Parks has a different level of appreciation for things. He's happy to have only tape around his ankle.

"Now I get to be on Jervey Meadows, I get to win reps, I get to lose reps," Parks said. "It’s more so, all right, I’m getting my ankle back. I’m just grateful to be out there. I’ve gained a lot of athleticism back."

Follow Jon Blau on Twitter @Jon_Blau. Plus, receive the latest updates on Clemson athletics, straight to your inbox, by subscribing to The Tiger Take.

Who: Clemson at Duke

When: 8 p.m., Sept. 4

Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, N.C.

TV: ESPN

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