The Replacements: Eric Mac Lain
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net August 4, 2016

The Clemson offensive line will have to replace two starters from a unit that helped the Tigers average 223.0 yards per game in 2015, and allowed an ACC-low 18 sacks. In this series we will look at the players that have departed and how they will be replaced this season.

In this edition of The Replacements we look at how Clemson will replace Eric Mac Lain at left guard.

One of the biggest challenges will be replacing Mac Lain’s leadership on the offensive line and the team. There was no better leader or representative of the team than Mac Lain. Jay Guillermo will step up and try to take the leadership role for the offensive line. The senior will use humor to help him along the way. His style will be different from Mac Lain’s, but he will also be a solid leader for the offensive line.

Taylor Hearn will be the one that replaces Mac Lain on the field at left guard. Hearn received plenty of praise last season and is now ready to become a starter on one of the top offensive lines in the nation.

The staff talked this week about the difference in Hearn and Mac Lain, who of course started out as a tight end and converted to offensive line and became a major contributor. Hearn is built like a truck and has the body built over years to be a lineman. Taylor will bring some nasty to the offensive line.

Jay Guillermo talked yesterday about Hearn.

“He is just a dawg.  He is nasty.  He is mean.  He wants to hurt people.  Taylor is just one of those guys that he is just country strong,” said Guillermo.

Justin Falcinelli will play a backup role at center and guard. He is another name that has received plenty of praise from Dabo Swinney and the coordinators over the past year. He is ready to provide quality depth at both positions and to step in a starting role if needed.

Maverick Morris is another player that could play guard or tackle, but is focusing now at right guard behind Tyrone Crowder. Morris pushed Crowder some in the spring and is also ready to step in as needed.

 

The offensive line is as deep as we have seen at Clemson.  The Tigers lost a great leader in Mac Lain and a player that had an outstanding season last year.  The good news is there is plenty of talent ready to step in and fill the void.  Don’t expect any drop-off here.