It would not be football camp without a couple of the big boys hurling their lunch a little bit and cramping on the first day of practice.

“We had a couple of guys (on Tuesday) getting a little sick, heat sickness. I told them they had to exercise their demons. I was screaming to let them let their demons out,” Clemson center Jay Guillermo said following Wednesday’s practice. “Once you get that first love chuck up, you are good to go for the rest of the day.”

Clemson’s first practice ended with right guard Tyrone Crowder and reserve left guard Noah Green being carted off the field due to extreme cramping. The first two days of Clemson’s preseason camp have been extremely hot and humid, with temperatures in the 90s.

Guillermo says it’s good for them to get out in the heat and adjust to the weather as they get set for what should be a hot and humid evening in Auburn on Sept. 3.

“We do a really good job around here focusing on (conditioning) and really working hard every day,” he said. “I know as an offensive line, going against our defensive line, it’s about getting all of the little kinks out and getting ready for September 3.”

Including Guillermo, the Tigers return three starters from last year’s offensive line, which averaged 223.0 yards per game on the ground and allowed an ACC-low 18 sacks. Guillermo, along with left tackle Mitch Hyatt and Crowder, was named preseason All-ACC by the media last month.

Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott is excited about the offensive line this season. He likes the amount of depth they have up front and he is excited about the physicality Taylor Hearn brings to the table at left guard.

“I think Taylor Hearn gives us a little more physicality than we have had in the past, so I’m excited to see that,” the Tigers’ running backs coach said.

Hearn of course is replacing All-ACC guard Eric Mac Lain, who has since graduated.

“Hearn is a little bit bigger guy. You can see his body type is a little bit bigger than Mac Lain’s,” Elliott said. “He is a natural offensive lineman where Mac Lain grew into the position. It’s his temperament. Obviously, Mac was a great leader that was learning to play the position. Hearn has played it his whole life and he has a little bit of that South Carolina country in him so he has some nastiness to him.”

Guillermo describes Hearn the same way, saying he is nasty, mean and wants to hurt people.

“Nothing against Eric last year because Eric is the same way, but Taylor is one of those guys where he is just country strong,” Guillermo said. “He is just a good ole boy that wants to put you on his back on every play and that’s what makes him special and makes him tick.

“It gives him his juice, sort of speak. He is a go-getter and it is awesome having him beside me.”

With Hearn, along with sophomore Jake Fruhmorgen, filling in the two holes left open on the offensive line, Clemson should be in good shape to have another banner year up front. Some think the Tigers have one of the best offensive lines in the country, but Elliott says they can’t concern themselves with anything that is being said good or bad about them outside of the program.

“We are not going to worry about what people say. We are just going to go out and prove it. That’s the challenge,” the Clemson coach said. “These guys have a lot of pride. Ever since we came here, even under Chad Morris, our goal was to rush for over 200 yards a game and they achieved that last year so they understand that.

“In order for us to be able to do that, again, we are not going to sneak up on anybody. We have to create a new line of scrimmage.”

–Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports