Clemson offensive line coach and assistant head coach Matt Luke spoke with reporters today, covering everything from the development of his young linemen to the Tigers’ response to adversity this season. With Clemson (1-3) heading into its third ACC game on the road against North Carolina, Luke provided an honest look at where his unit stands and how the program is handling heightened outside criticism.
Freshmen Progress Report
Matt Luke began with an update on Clemson’s freshman offensive linemen. Easton Ware was making strides at right tackle before undergoing shoulder surgery, but Luke said he expects him to have a bright future once healthy.
Brayden Jacobs has already cracked the two-deep rotation and has been used in short-yardage packages. “Probably not quite ready yet, but he’s going to be really, really good,” Luke said. “I’m really pleased with where he is, and I think he has a bright future.”
Gavin Blanchard, who has drawn praise for his toughness, is working across both guard spots and at center. Luke admitted the transition to center as a freshman is especially difficult but commended his football IQ. “He’s tough. He’s gritty. He’ll compete. He’s always sending you questions at night, asking ‘hey coach what can I do better here’,” Luke said.
The other two freshmen, Tucker Kattus and Rowan Byrne, are primarily on scout team duty for now, but Luke sees potential in their size and potential.
Accountability and Adversity
Matt Luke also addressed comments from head coach Dabo Swinney, who earlier this week called the team’s struggles a “coaching failure.” Luke didn’t shy away from that reality.
“It’s very fair,” Luke said. “When you come to Clemson, you expect to win championships. When you don’t win, there’s accountability that comes with it. I don’t think you point the finger at any one person, we’re all in this thing together.”
He emphasized that as coaches, their vision for the team has to match what’s seen on the field. “When you put the paw on your helmet, there’s a certain way it’s supposed to look,” Luke said. “You take a lot of pride in trying to make it look that way.”
Despite the frustration of a 1-3 start, Luke insisted the team’s mindset is strong. “The open date came at a good time,” he said. “It is tough because they are hearing all the outside noise, but it’s our job to get our guys to focus on one practice at a time. If you become too outcome-driven, then you start worrying about a lot of different things.”
Building Cohesion
Injuries have tested Clemson’s offensive line early this season, with shifting combinations impacting cohesion. Still, Luke said the return of veteran Tristan Leigh has helped stabilize the group alongside experienced starters like Blake Miller, Ryan Linthicum, and Walker Parks.
“It’s a special room,” Luke said. “You’ve got guys who’ve been through great times and tough times. For a young guy like Brayden or Easton going through a tough time now, these guys have been through that before. A bunch of great guys that I enjoy being around and enjoy coaching.”
Matt Luke acknowledged that early in the season, some of the timing and chemistry wasn’t quite right, particularly in the run game. But he believes those issues will settle. “When you win, nobody notices mistakes. When you lose, everything gets magnified. The key is execution.”
Matt Luke Has Trust in Dabo
Questions about Swinney’s leadership amid the program’s struggles have been swirling, but Luke was quick to defend his head coach.
“You can tell a lot about somebody when you go through a tough time,” Luke said. “The way he’s led through this is incredible. He’s authentic. There’s a lot of fake in this world, he’s real, and I think that’s awesome.”
Luke believes Swinney’s consistency is what gives the program its foundation. “There’s no magic wand,” Luke said. “Hard work works. You stay the course, you keep working, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
Looking Ahead to UNC
Clemson’s next test comes against North Carolina, who is led by former NFL head coach Bill Belichick. Luke noted that UNC’s defensive line presents unique challenges with its size and physicality, often lining up in a “zero nose” look with heavy interior bodies.
“They’ve got big defensive ends, big interior guys,” Luke said. “It’ll be a challenge for sure.”
As Clemson prepares for its next month of the season, Matt Luke’s message was clear: block out the noise, focus on the process, and let hard work do the talking.
