Veteran Offensive Lineman Bringing Something to Group That's Been Missing

Not only has the hiring of Matt Luke resulted in a different tone inside Clemson’s offensive line room, his arrival has also coincided with new players stepping into the ever-important leadership roles.

One of those players is redshirt junior Tristan Leigh. Fellow offensive lineman Marcus Tate even went as far as saying that Leigh brings a type of leadership to the room that has been noticeably absent in recent seasons.

“He’s doing an amazing job of leading,” Tate said. “He’s the most hype guy on our team and everybody would agree with that. He starts off every meeting hyping up the whole team. That’s just the type of guy he is.”

“It’s just one of those things that you just got see it, and you got to feel the energy that he comes with. He is going to get up, start talking, and you’re going to start jumping around. He’s just that type of guy and I love that about him. Because I can’t say that we’ve had that in the past, we haven’t, he is just different. And I think that is what we need is something different.”

Tate and Leigh are not only roommates, they are best friends. That gives Tate a unique perspective and he insists that the type of leadership Leigh has displayed is almost contagious. At least to him.

“I have never seen someone be as genuine as he is and talk and move with the passion as he does. And as his roommate and as his best friend, I can say that it’s a blessing that he instills that in me. Because I am not a huge talker and he kind of tries to push me to be more vocal and lead like I should because I have that voice.”

Leigh is a former 5-star recruit that appeared in just seven games across his first two seasons with the program. Last season, he would start 11 of the Tigers’ 13 games, with most of those snaps coming at left tackle.

Heading into 2024, Leigh is once again expected to protect quarterback Cade Klubnik’s blind side and if his confidence level is any indicator, Tate fully believes his roommate is in store for a really good season.

“Just a guy that cares so much,” Tate said. “From the moment he got here he has been very serious about the work he is putting in. Now that he is in the role that he is in, I think he has the confidence to come out, because he is a vocal guy. He is very passionate, emotional and he really shows that. And he is authentic. He feels the way he feels and is very genuine and it comes from a good place. He just wants to see everybody do great.”

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