Ryan Linthicum Commits to the Clemson Tigers

Ryan Linthicum (6’3, 275) is the 4th commitment of the 2021 class and the first offensive line commit for the Clemson Tigers. Linthicum is rated as the 122nd overall player in the composite rankings and the number one overall center in the class of 2021. Linthicum is teammates with current 2020 Clemson Tigers commit Bryan Bresee at Damascus High School in Maryland. Rivals has him rated as number 47 overall, which is a bit higher than I would have him. I think just inside the top 100 is where he ultimately ends up.

Ryan is the first of four likely offensive line takes in the 2021 class (some have it pegged at three but I have heard it will more likely get to four). He will play Center in college and gives Clemson plenty to look forward to at the position.

Linthicum shows quick feet and the ability to bend and stay low, which are essential for the center. He has experience snapping the ball and won’t need to acclimate to the position. I think he could be in-line for early playing time if he can reshape his body while in high school a bit and stay around 290 or at least below 300 pounds. He has an interior lineman frame and decent size, but most importantly plays with a mean streak, through the whistle. Could play early in career at Center for Clemson, most likely in his first two years.

In the Damascus offense he shows that he has the agility to get to the second level and plows the overmatched competition repeatedly. He will have to adjust to the level of play in college, but still plays good teams in MD and practices against Bresee. I’ve said all along this was Clemson’s recruitment to lose and after another weekend at Clemson, Ryan decided to shut it down (it also helped that Michigan looks really shaky). Clemson will continue to pursue Marcus Tate and Jager Burton, which leaves one spot for a higher profile Offensive Tackle.

Linthicum selected Clemson over finalists Ohio State, Michigan, and Virginia Tech. He had offers from most Southeast programs. Virginia Tech has tumbled with the recent internal strife and Michigan hasn’t performed well on the field. Ohio State was a legit threat, but has lost a bit of their recruiting mojo with the departure of Meyer. Obviously Bresee was a factor that helped Clemson, but Linthicum took his visits and made the choice for himself.

(Bonus: Ryan’s hair game will help replace the loss of TL’s.)