Garrett Riley looks to build sharper, smarter Clemson offense
As Garrett Riley heads into his second full spring as Clemson’s offensive coordinator, the message is simple: reset, refocus, and sharpen up.
“This time of year is always foundational,” Riley said. “I don’t care if it’s a third-year starter like Cade Klubnik-every spring, you’ve got to reset.”
That reset isn’t a regression. It’s a relaying of the groundwork, a reminder of who Clemson is and how they’re expected to play. But this spring feels different. For the first time since Riley arrived in Tigertown, there’s real continuity-same system, same coaches, veteran leadership across the board.
“We’re older on offense than we’ve ever been,” Riley said. “That sharpness, that execution-that has to be our standard now.”
That sharpness starts with Klubnik, the junior quarterback coming off a full season of growing pains and flashes of brilliance. But Riley is quick to point out that leadership is flourishing in other rooms, too.
“At receiver, O-line, tight end-even though we’re young in some spots, we’ve got guys who’ve been around,” Riley said. “And that matters.”
The comfort level extends to the coaching staff. Riley and offensive line coach Matt Luke are now in year two of working side by side. The chemistry is showing in meetings and game-planning-especially in blitz pickup and run-game design.
Throw in the emergence of a hungry, talented group of underclassmen-including names like Gideon Davidson, Tristan Smith, and freshman quarterback Chris Denson-and there’s reason to believe Clemson’s offense is about to turn the corner.
“We’ve got a young O-line group getting a million reps,” Riley said. “They’ve messed up, but they’re grinding. That’s what we want to see.”
The foundation is being rebuilt. But make no mistake-Garrett Riley’s Tigers aren’t just laying bricks. They’re sharpening swords.
