By Staff Reports
The dog days of summer are upon us. To help pass the time, the staff at The Clemson Insider is picking sides.
Along with publisher Robert MacRae, staff writers Will Vandervort, William Qualkinbush and Hale McGranahan are drafting players from the Clemson roster to fill out their own teams.
Here’s how the ninth round of the TCI Open Draft played out:
William Qualkinbush
Ninth Round (33 overall) – Ryan Norton, C (6-3, 285)
This might seem odd, especially considering I have not picked a tackle yet and that seems like an obvious priority. However, with the vast majority of tackles off the board, Norton appears to be the safest choice to lead my offensive line.
Norton has developed a reputation for being something of a jack of all trades over his career. He has spent time at center and guard, and I’m sure he could handle tackle reasonably well if he had to do so. Norton is a hard worker who has the respect of his teammates and should be a mainstay on the offensive line for the Tigers somewhere.
Since versatility is my primary thinking in this process, I think Norton is the perfect choice to anchor my offensive front.
Robert MacRae
Ninth Round (34 overall) – Jay Guillermo, C (6-3, 310)
With the 34th pick I make my first selection for the offensive line, Jay Guillermo, who has some work to do in camp to prove he is ready to return to the field. But when he does he will likely be the starting center for the Tigers. Guillermo took his game to the next level last year before getting injured.
I’ve still got some work to do on the offensive line, but will be in good shape in the middle as long as Jay returns to the field.
Hale McGranahan
Ninth Round (35 overall) – Eric Mac Lain, OG (6-4, 305)
In an effort to solidify my offensive line, I thought it might be a good idea to go ahead and lock up Mac Lain. Plus, I’ve got a guy who will be one of my team’s leaders.
Mac Lain is listed as the starting left guard on the Clemson depth chart, so I feel pretty good about plugging him into a spot on my team that will be flanked by a freshman in Jake Fruhmorgen.
That will also be the case in the real world, as Mac Lain will work alongside a freshman left tackle in Mitch Hyatt. Among the offensive linemen on the Clemson roster, there may not be a better man for the job. While Mac Lain doesn’t have a ton of experience, he’s got enough to ease some of the concern that comes with starting a freshman at left tackle.
Will Vandervort
Ninth pick (36th overall) – Tyrone Crowder, OG (6-2, 330)
With my ninth pick and the 36th overall in the TCI Open Draft, I pick right guard Tyrone Crowder.
I’m stunned Crowder is still on the board. As a redshirt freshman, he played in six games and started one. He is projected to be the starting right guard heading into fall camp next month.
Crowder recorded five knockdown blocks in 203 snaps. Three of those game against Syracuse when he played a season-high 62 snaps.
Crowder is explosive off the ball and is a very good run blocker, which makes him fit perfect in my run first offensive scheme. His issues have come in pass protection schemes, but he had a very good spring and the coaching staff feels he will be a very good offensive guard for the Tigers this year and in the years to come.
Current rosters
William Qualkinbush
(1) DeShaun Watson
(2) Ben Boulware
(3) DJ Reader
(4) Korrin Wiggins
(5) Ray Ray McCloud
(6) Zac Brooks
(7) Albert Huggins
(8) Stanton Seckinger
(9) Ryan Norton
Robert MacRae
(1) Artavis Scott
(2) Mike Williams
(3) Deon Cain
(4) Christian Wilkins
(5) Jordan Leggett
(6) C.J. Davidson
(7) Mark Fields
(8) Travis Blanks
(9) Jay Guillermo
Hale McGranahan
(1) MacKensie Alexander
(2) Isaiah Battle
(3) Jayron Kearse
(4) Carlos Watkins
(5) Charone Peake
(6) B.J. Goodson
(7) Richard Yeargin
(8) Jake Fruhmorgen
(9) Eric Mac Lain
Will Vandervort
(1) Shaq Lawson
(2) Kelly Bryant
(3) Mitch Hyatt
(4) Wayne Gallman
(5) Milan Richard
(6) Germone Hopper
(7) Scott Pagano
(8) Trevion Thompson
(9) Tyrone Crowder