CLEMSON – Offensive line is a position that comes with a plethora of details, and it’s entirely different for each of the five spots. For Clemson in 2023, right guard has been the nagging issue and offensive line coach Thomas Austin has thrown everything at the wall till it sticks.

Eight weeks into the season, it finally did and moving formerly starting left tackle Tristan Leigh to right guard was the perfect puzzle piece. Leigh is a redshirt sophomore with six starts under his belt after NC State, but he had zero experience at right guard heading into Saturday.

Five days before the game was when Leigh found out the plan to slide him over to a new position. He was excited for the opportunity, and immediately got to work preparing for the challenge.

“It was very different. You know, playing guard but I’ve also never been on the right side before either so it was kind of both…it was tough at first. Just the footwork’s so much tighter, everything happens faster. I just think I had to adjust to that but there’s some good things too. You have more help in pass protection,” Leigh said.

During practice leading up to game day, Leigh credits a lot of his success Saturday to the likes of starting center Will Putnam and his other teammates. Taking on the new spot, Leigh called himself a “over-communicator” on the offensive line.

It comes from a place of wanting to succeed, and Leigh did just that. According to PFF, Leigh had a team-high pass block grade at 89.2, which is also higher than any of his grades throughout the 2023 season. He gave up no pressures, and locked down the right side of the offensive line.

“I want to be able to play any position. I want to be able to do anything the team needs from me and that’s what I think it came down to and I was excited for the opportunity. I want to do anything possible to win,” Leigh said.

This was a move that came in reaction, but Clemson might’ve struck gold sliding Leigh to right guard. Time will tell if the Tigers continue with him in this role, but the early performance shows Leigh could be the right guard for the future.