Hearn brings physical presence to Tigers’ offensive line

Big, tough and nasty. That’s how Clemson players and coaches describe Taylor Hearn, the Tigers’ projected starting left guard.

A redshirt sophomore, Hearn’s listed at 6-foot-5 and weighed 327 pounds before fall camp. He’s one of the largest players on the team.

Sophomore defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who often lines up against Hearn, said Hearn uses his size to his advantage.

“That’s just a big boy, and he’s tough as nails,” said Wilkins, who weighs300 pounds. “He just wants to dominate you, and I think he has a chance to be one of the better guards that has come through Clemson.”

A product of Williston, a rural South Carolina town about 130 miles from Clemson, Hearn has “a little bit of that South Carolina country in him, so he’s got some nastiness to him,” said co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott.

“I think adding Taylor Hearn (to the starting offensive line) gives us a little bit more physicality than we may have had in the past,” Elliott said.

As a reserve last season, Hearn appeared in every game but one, playing 180 snaps.

As Hearn prepares to take on a starting role this season, offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell says his pupil has “grown in every way.”

“Physically, mentally, he’s really grown in that regard,” Caldwell said. “I think he’s really changed his mentality.”

Hearn has big shoes to fill. Eric Mac Lain was a first-team All-ACC selection last year. That said, redshirt senior center Jay Guillermo believes Hearn could make the offensive line even better.

“That’s in no way any disrespect to Eric Mac Lain, because he wanted to get after guys and he did get after guys, but you got big, 330-pound Taylor Hearn that’s just strong as a bull and it just kind of brings a more physical presence to it,” Guillermo said.

Of all the new starters on this year’s team, Hearn might be the least well-known. He was only a three-star recruit out of high school, and has declined to speak to the media. Once the games begin, however, Caldwell expects Clemson fans to recognize Hearn’s toughness.

“He’s got a chance to be a really physical force,” Caldwell said.

This story was originally published August 13, 2016 at 8:18 PM.