The Real Deal: More On Blake Miller
By: Larry Williams
In 2015, Mitch Hyatt enrolled early at Clemson and by Sept. 5 was starting in the opener against Wofford.
In 2022, Blake Miller enrolled early at Clemson and by Sept. 5 could be starting the opener against Georgia Tech.
Hyatt set the glistening standard for both rare early achievement by an offensive lineman, and remarkable career longevity.
When Hyatt walked onto the field on a hot 2015 day in Death Valley and started for the first time, Clemson was still trying to become a legitimate contender.
When he walked off the field on a glorious California night in January of 2019, Clemson was being viewed as a possible dynasty with two national titles in three seasons.
That individual and collective success is of course a lot to live up to as Miller prepares for a prominent role, and as Clemson aspires to put itself back in college football's elite class.
Highly-regarded true freshman offensive tackle Blake Miller is shown here with Clemson Special Assistant To The Offense John Grass earlier this month. (Tigerillustrated.com)
But if you're looking for signs of upward trajectory on the all-important position group that is the offensive line, you have to start with the words, body language and tone that accompany reviews of the hulking freshman from Strongsville, Ohio.
Normally it takes some time for freshmen to pay their dues, to be considered equals with guys who have already been through the battles at the college level.
Didn't take long at all with Miller.
"That might be the most developed freshman we've ever seen," Walker Parks said of his initial impressions of Miller last winter. "He's coming in outlifting dudes, outrunning dudes."
Even before August camp began, there were whispers among insiders about how long it might take for Thomas Austin to try a new configuration on the offensive line.
Where the major surface-level storyline was the battle at right guard among Bryn Tucker, Mitchell Mayes and Dietrick Pennington, behind the scenes it felt as if the wheels might already be turning for something different.
If Miller showed early in camp that he could hold up against some ultra-talented defensive ends, then why not move Parks inside to right guard?
We proposed such a scenario, and we thought it could happen eventually. But we had no idea Austin and Dabo Swinney would roll with it so early.
It happened almost immediately -- just a couple days into camp. It was a sign that none of the aforementioned three contenders (Tucker, Mayes, Pennington) were ready. But it was also a sign that the staff might be more assertive than before in making bold moves early.
"If he runs out there on day one, there's no issue with that," Parks said of Miller. "We're more than confident in Blake Miller."
Hyatt ended up starting 57 of 59 games over his career, piling up 3,754 snaps and helping Clemson amass a 55-4 record, four consecutive trips to the playoffs and the two national titles. Two of those four losses were to Alabama.
One key difference between Hyatt in 2015 and Miller now: Mass.
Hyatt was 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds when he weighed in before the start of 2015 August camp. Miller is 6-6 and was 317 pounds when he weighed in a few weeks ago.
Hyatt was probably more a technician than a bully. Miller has been a bully, and a nuisance to the defensive ends who'd normally make quick work of a freshman tackle.
This configuration has produced real confidence and excitement that Clemson is going to be able to smash its running game with authority and abandon.
"Oh we're going to run the ball," one coach told us a few days ago. "Ain't no doubt about that."
And there's little doubt that Miller is that rare freshman who can rise above, right away.
"His physicality is unmatched," Parks said. "He's out here finishing dudes. ... Even if he has a missed assignment, he's out here trying to knock a dude's head off. When you see that out of a freshman, and the fact that he's able to do it from a physical standpoint, that's extremely impressive at that age. I mean he just turned 18."
40% OFF Clemson Nike shoes at The Tiger Fan Shop now! Direct link to the SALE HERE!
By: Larry Williams
In 2015, Mitch Hyatt enrolled early at Clemson and by Sept. 5 was starting in the opener against Wofford.
In 2022, Blake Miller enrolled early at Clemson and by Sept. 5 could be starting the opener against Georgia Tech.
Hyatt set the glistening standard for both rare early achievement by an offensive lineman, and remarkable career longevity.
When Hyatt walked onto the field on a hot 2015 day in Death Valley and started for the first time, Clemson was still trying to become a legitimate contender.
When he walked off the field on a glorious California night in January of 2019, Clemson was being viewed as a possible dynasty with two national titles in three seasons.
That individual and collective success is of course a lot to live up to as Miller prepares for a prominent role, and as Clemson aspires to put itself back in college football's elite class.
Highly-regarded true freshman offensive tackle Blake Miller is shown here with Clemson Special Assistant To The Offense John Grass earlier this month. (Tigerillustrated.com)
But if you're looking for signs of upward trajectory on the all-important position group that is the offensive line, you have to start with the words, body language and tone that accompany reviews of the hulking freshman from Strongsville, Ohio.
Normally it takes some time for freshmen to pay their dues, to be considered equals with guys who have already been through the battles at the college level.
Didn't take long at all with Miller.
"That might be the most developed freshman we've ever seen," Walker Parks said of his initial impressions of Miller last winter. "He's coming in outlifting dudes, outrunning dudes."
Even before August camp began, there were whispers among insiders about how long it might take for Thomas Austin to try a new configuration on the offensive line.
Where the major surface-level storyline was the battle at right guard among Bryn Tucker, Mitchell Mayes and Dietrick Pennington, behind the scenes it felt as if the wheels might already be turning for something different.
If Miller showed early in camp that he could hold up against some ultra-talented defensive ends, then why not move Parks inside to right guard?
We proposed such a scenario, and we thought it could happen eventually. But we had no idea Austin and Dabo Swinney would roll with it so early.
It happened almost immediately -- just a couple days into camp. It was a sign that none of the aforementioned three contenders (Tucker, Mayes, Pennington) were ready. But it was also a sign that the staff might be more assertive than before in making bold moves early.
"If he runs out there on day one, there's no issue with that," Parks said of Miller. "We're more than confident in Blake Miller."
Hyatt ended up starting 57 of 59 games over his career, piling up 3,754 snaps and helping Clemson amass a 55-4 record, four consecutive trips to the playoffs and the two national titles. Two of those four losses were to Alabama.
One key difference between Hyatt in 2015 and Miller now: Mass.
Hyatt was 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds when he weighed in before the start of 2015 August camp. Miller is 6-6 and was 317 pounds when he weighed in a few weeks ago.
Hyatt was probably more a technician than a bully. Miller has been a bully, and a nuisance to the defensive ends who'd normally make quick work of a freshman tackle.
This configuration has produced real confidence and excitement that Clemson is going to be able to smash its running game with authority and abandon.
"Oh we're going to run the ball," one coach told us a few days ago. "Ain't no doubt about that."
And there's little doubt that Miller is that rare freshman who can rise above, right away.
"His physicality is unmatched," Parks said. "He's out here finishing dudes. ... Even if he has a missed assignment, he's out here trying to knock a dude's head off. When you see that out of a freshman, and the fact that he's able to do it from a physical standpoint, that's extremely impressive at that age. I mean he just turned 18."
40% OFF Clemson Nike shoes at The Tiger Fan Shop now! Direct link to the SALE HERE!
