AUGUST CAMP: Friday A.M. Update
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
Sometimes body language tells you all you need to know.
That was certainly the case last night when we mentioned Walker Parks' name to Dabo Swinney.
Heading into camp we had heard some glowing reviews of the freshman who arrived this summer from Lexington, Ky.
Rivals100 four-star true freshman offensive lineman Walker Parks is shown here arriving in Clemson in June. (Clemson Athletics)
And the mere sound of his name alone brought a wide grin from Swinney before we were able to finish the question.
"He's just exactly what I thought," Swinney said. "He's just disappointed we couldn't be in pads. That's just kind of -- that's his mentality. He just wants to be in full pads every day and is one of the most prepared guys you're ever going to meet."
Parks is listed at 6-5 and 275 on the team's depth chart but was 298 pounds at the team weigh-in Wednesday night. He's listed as the co-second team left tackle with Mitchell Mayes, behind Jackson Carman. Mayes and fellow freshman tackle Paul Tchio have a head start on Parks, having enrolled in the winter and gone through the abbreviated spring practice.
But it doesn't take much asking around to learn that Parks could be a fast riser. And it doesn't take much conversation with Swinney to learn this kid might be made of special stuff.
"Every ounce of what it takes to be a great football player, Walker loves it," he said. "He's one I'm really excited about getting the pads on and watching him in camp." -- LARRY WILLIAMS
I mean, as we brought to light in June, Parks went out and bought a chute for the backyard to do offensive line drills during the self-isolation stretch of the pandemic quarantine.
Everyone would be more surprised if he wasn’t what we thought starting off.
Which is why the second-team pecking order might be more interesting than the starters as camp rolls on.
Parks was listed as the co-second string left tackle in the depth chart released Thursday, sharing the job with freshman midyear enrollee Mitchell Mayes.
Mayes served as the No. 2 left tackle during spring ball, while freshman Paul Tchio held the right tackle spot. Tchio and freshman summer enrollee John Williams were likewise dubbed co-second string right tackles on the depth chart.
It’s probably accurate that the gist is, those four are jumbled together and will have their positions sorted out as August unfolds. But there are plenty of scenarios here, with Parks arguably holding the cards.
We’ve long been on record as projecting Parks to be the left tackle of the future, and incumbent starter Jackson Carman’s successor.
Clemson's staff doesn’t always pigeonhole its linemen, though.
Projected starting right tackle Jordan McFadden has spent considerable time at left tackle during his career, while predecessor Tremayne Anchrum cut his teeth as a left tackle as well.
Clemson has expressed confidence in McFadden as its planned starter, to be clear.
But to make sure the Tigers optimize their chances, might we see Parks eventually train as a right tackle in case he brings competition to the starting position?
There figures to be numerous moving parts to the second-team offensive line in the coming days.
And we’re just getting started. – PAUL STRELOW
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE to check out all of our inventory, plus early summer DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel!
By: Larry Williams & Paul Strelow
Sometimes body language tells you all you need to know.
That was certainly the case last night when we mentioned Walker Parks' name to Dabo Swinney.
Heading into camp we had heard some glowing reviews of the freshman who arrived this summer from Lexington, Ky.
Rivals100 four-star true freshman offensive lineman Walker Parks is shown here arriving in Clemson in June. (Clemson Athletics)
And the mere sound of his name alone brought a wide grin from Swinney before we were able to finish the question.
"He's just exactly what I thought," Swinney said. "He's just disappointed we couldn't be in pads. That's just kind of -- that's his mentality. He just wants to be in full pads every day and is one of the most prepared guys you're ever going to meet."
Parks is listed at 6-5 and 275 on the team's depth chart but was 298 pounds at the team weigh-in Wednesday night. He's listed as the co-second team left tackle with Mitchell Mayes, behind Jackson Carman. Mayes and fellow freshman tackle Paul Tchio have a head start on Parks, having enrolled in the winter and gone through the abbreviated spring practice.
But it doesn't take much asking around to learn that Parks could be a fast riser. And it doesn't take much conversation with Swinney to learn this kid might be made of special stuff.
"Every ounce of what it takes to be a great football player, Walker loves it," he said. "He's one I'm really excited about getting the pads on and watching him in camp." -- LARRY WILLIAMS
I mean, as we brought to light in June, Parks went out and bought a chute for the backyard to do offensive line drills during the self-isolation stretch of the pandemic quarantine.
Everyone would be more surprised if he wasn’t what we thought starting off.
Which is why the second-team pecking order might be more interesting than the starters as camp rolls on.
Parks was listed as the co-second string left tackle in the depth chart released Thursday, sharing the job with freshman midyear enrollee Mitchell Mayes.
Mayes served as the No. 2 left tackle during spring ball, while freshman Paul Tchio held the right tackle spot. Tchio and freshman summer enrollee John Williams were likewise dubbed co-second string right tackles on the depth chart.
It’s probably accurate that the gist is, those four are jumbled together and will have their positions sorted out as August unfolds. But there are plenty of scenarios here, with Parks arguably holding the cards.
We’ve long been on record as projecting Parks to be the left tackle of the future, and incumbent starter Jackson Carman’s successor.
Clemson's staff doesn’t always pigeonhole its linemen, though.
Projected starting right tackle Jordan McFadden has spent considerable time at left tackle during his career, while predecessor Tremayne Anchrum cut his teeth as a left tackle as well.
Clemson has expressed confidence in McFadden as its planned starter, to be clear.
But to make sure the Tigers optimize their chances, might we see Parks eventually train as a right tackle in case he brings competition to the starting position?
There figures to be numerous moving parts to the second-team offensive line in the coming days.
And we’re just getting started. – PAUL STRELOW
FROM THE TIGER FAN SHOP: Click HERE to check out all of our inventory, plus early summer DEALS on officially-licensed CLEMSON apparel!
