Clemson offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell has said it over and over again, he is not afraid to play the best player on the offensive line, even if that player is a true freshman.

Of course, anyone would have started Mitch Hyatt at left tackle in 2015. He was a highly coveted tackle coming out of the 2015 recruiting class, and he was college ready. But what about Sean Pollard, Tremayne Anchrum and John Simpson, did anyone see them coming in and contributing right away as true freshman?

It is doubtful. However, Caldwell did.

Granted Caldwell did not anticipate right tackle and starter Jake Fruhmorgen to quit the team in the middle of a national championship season, but he did see the promise of Pollard and Anchrum, even back in training camp.

“A lot of it has to do with the programs they are from,” Caldwell said. “You see how they are coached and what they do. That’s when you know if they have a chance to come right in and help.”

Caldwell says the Clemson staff does a thorough evaluation of players when they start recruiting them and they make a point to look for players who are college ready.

Simpson was a guy few people thought would play as a true freshman, but the guard was coached by one of Caldwell’s former players in high school, and Caldwell knew Simpson was getting the instruction he needed to come in and compete right away at Clemson.

“You get a little inside information when one of your former players is coaching at the school. He knows what I expect this young man to do,” Caldwell said. “Most people do want to get in that business of having to play a freshman. But I have no problem with that.”

Simpson played in 10 games this year as a reserve guard, including in the national championship game against Alabama. Caldwell was really impressed with Simpson’s ability to come right in and contribute because he said it’s harder for a guard to jump right into action as compared to a tackle.

“You have a lot more to do inside than you do outside. That is the hard part,” he said.

However, Caldwell was proud of his two freshman tackles. Pollard, because of Fruhmorgen’s departure, started the last seven games at right tackle and held up well, especially with what he was able to do against Ohio and Alabama in the College Football Playoff.

Anchrum, who primarily backed up Hyatt this past season, played in 11 games at left and right tackle, including a season-high 89 snaps against Pittsburgh after Hyatt suffered a concussion early in the game.

–Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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