In this series we will pick the best players from Clemson’s Modern Era (1990-present). This is the era following the Tigers’ great teams of the Danny Ford and Charlie Pell era. Some of the players on this list might be considered among Clemson’s all-time greats and you are sure to recognize a few if not all of the names on our list.
We continue our series today by looking at the tight ends on Clemson’s All-Modern Era Team.
After reviewing our picks each day, please feel free to tell us if you agree with them or not by going to The Rock on our forums page. All of our forum pages are free to view and register, just like all of our content.
First Team
Dwayne Allen (2009-’11): In the spring of 2009, the Clemson coaches weren’t sure if Dwayne Allen was going to make it at Clemson. After redshirting in 2008, Allen did not understand why he was sitting on the bench behind a guy, Michael Palmer, that he thought he was more talented than. He expressed his frustration to the coaches, and later the media. Head coach Dabo Swinney was not happy that Allen was questioning the coaches. But Allen eventually opened his eyes and realized the reason he was not playing in front of Palmer was due to the fact that Palmer was out working him. Instead of complaining about Palmer, he started watching him more and started working out with him. That eventually translated to the football field where Allen took his talent and incorporated it with better work habits. As a result he became the greatest tight end to ever play at Clemson, earning consensus All-American honors in 2011, while winning the John Mackey Award as the nation’s best tight end. Allen caught a Clemson record 50 passes for a tight end in 2011 for a record 598 yards. His eight touchdowns also set a single-season mark for a tight end, while his 93 career receptions for 1,079 yards are also records. Allen was also a First-Team All-ACC tight end in 2011 and earned second-team honors in 2010.
Second Team
Michael Palmer (2006-’09): Palmer is the epitome of what hard work will do for you. Palmer will tell you himself he isn’t the most talented guy to play the tight end position, but no one worked harder than he did. That’s why he played five years in the NFL for the Falcons and Steelers before deciding to retire this past spring. During his four years at Clemson, Palmer became a First-Team All-ACC tight end. In 2009, he set a then Clemson record for a tight end with 43 catches for 507 yards and four touchdowns. His 43 receptions that season ranked second on the team. He ended his career with 73 catches for 825 yards and eight touchdowns.
Third Team
Brandon Ford (2009-’12): A converted tight end from wide receiver, Ford became a First-Team All-ACC tight end in 2012. Following in Palmer’s and Allen’s footsteps he became a reliable target and big-play weapon in the offense. Despite having guys named Sammy Watkins and Nuk Hopkins on the team, Ford managed to catch 40 passes for 480 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012. His eight touchdowns tied Allen’s single-season record for a tight end, while his 69-yard catch and run for a touchdown against NC State is still the longest reception for a tight end in Clemson history.