CLEMSON – Will Putnam knew back in December that he might be needed to move from right guard to center and started practicing during the Tigers’ bowl prep. That practice has paid off.
Just before the start of spring practice, head coach Dabo Swinney announced that Hunter Rayburn was retiring from football after dealing with injuries to his neck. Then Swinney announced that Mason Trotter – who also played center last season – would miss most of this season with an undisclosed issue.
Heralded freshman Ryan Linthicum barely played last season and redshirted while Trent Howard also played limited snaps, forcing Putnam’s move to the middle of the line.