Dabo Swinney sees a night and day difference between Tristan Leigh now, and who the former five-star prospect was as a true freshman when he arrived on campus in the summer of 2021.

Clemson’s head coach made it clear that he is proud of Leigh and his transformation to where he is currently as a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman competing for a larger role in 2023.

“Different person,” Swinney said of Leigh after the Tigers’ scrimmage last week. “Compared to that guy, that guy was a 20 and this guy is an 80 compared to who he was when he got here – coming out of COVID, no football, out of shape, not strong, hadn’t been in the weight room. I mean, he’s completely different.”

Swinney mentioned how much hard work Leigh has put in to improve himself, both physically and mentally.

“He’s really, really worked hard,” Swinney said. “He’s one of the guys I’m so proud of because a lot of guys aren’t very self-aware and he is, and he has really worked hard to just do everything he needs to do to be a better version of himself – whether it’s physically, nutritionally, weight room wise, film wise, knowledge wise. He’s just a guy that works all the time.”

With three-year starter Jordan McFadden moving on from Clemson, there’s a void for the Tigers to fill at left tackle, and Leigh is one option to potentially succeed McFadden at that spot.

Entering his third year in the program, the former top-25 national recruit has bided his time and spent last season listed as McFadden’s backup on the depth chart. Leigh redshirted in 2021 and heads into the upcoming season having played 70 snaps over seven career games.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pounder possesses a lot of potential, and according to Swinney, Leigh is highly driven to fulfill that potential.

“It’s very important to him to be a great player,” Swinney said. “So, he’s so far from the guy that showed up here, but he’s still a young player. But really pleased. He’s done some really good things. He’s missed some plays, too, just communication and things. But nobody wants it more than Tristan, that’s for sure.”

Dear Old Clemson has added the Tiger Sack Pack to our online store.  Save by getting the Two Pack of signed cards from two of the nation’s top defensive ends, Myles Murphy and Xavier Thomas.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. 

Dear Old Clemson is doing NIL the ‘Clemson way’, but we need your help to make sure we build a sustainable, repeatable model that will help keep Clemson competitive with the other top programs around the nation.

Dabo Swinney: “We need your assistance more than ever to provide meaningful NIL opportunities. Tiger Impact, Dear Old Clemson and other collectives allow student-athletes to utilize their voice and platform to maximize their NIL opportunities and strengthen their impact in the community.”

Graham Neff:
“Tiger Impact, Dear Old Clemson and other collectives need your support to help provide meaningful NIL opportunities for our student athletes. We are doing things the right way, the Clemson way with integrity as a non-negotiable and we fully support the mission of these groups.”

Join the Tiger Club or Lady Tiger Club to help these great student-athletes and help the Tigers compete at the highest level!