One of the nuances of competing for a powerhouse college football program that is often overlooked pertains to the difficulties associated with garnering playing time. Rosters overflowing with talent are fixtures of dominant teams, meaning that blue-chip recruits are not guaranteed the same level of on-field exposure as they would receive at lesser programs. The perfect sporting examples of reaping what is sown are the bountiful rewards associated with competing on the grand stage for a prominent program. This is attainable only through dedication to improvement for the football prospects who opt to suit up for top-tier programs, such as the Clemson Tigers.
The 2019 Clemson roster is teeming with veteran talent. Interestingly enough, several of these experienced players have only just begun to reap the aforementioned benefits of paying their dues through gradually climbing the Tigers’ depth chart. On both sides of the ball, several true and redshirt seniors fit that description perfectly, holding pivotal roles for a Clemson squad eager to claim its second straight national title. Thus far, these players have proved to be quite impactful.
Capping off an interesting career that featured a surprising switch from the defensive line to the offensive line, fifth-year senior Gage Cervenka is a full-time starter at right guard for Clemson this season. Cervenka served as a valuable commodity for the offensive line in 2018, but he has become a fixture of it this year. Cervenka’s journey to becoming a key pass protector, which also included a stint as Clemson’s backup center, has been rather unorthodox, making him a shining example of a player reaping what he has sown.
At the wide receiver position, senior Diondre Overton signifies hard work and dedication coming to fruition. The 6-foot-4-inch wideout is one of multiple towering pass catchers in the Tigers’ receiving corps. Due to an offseason injury suffered by Amari Rodgers, Overton has served as the primary slot receiver in the early goings of the 2019 slate. Admittedly, Overton considered transferring following the 2018 season, but he decided to stick around and finish what he started in Clemson, which is proving to be a worthwhile decision.
The Tiger defense also features several veteran leaders who have gradually earned more playing time along the way, with each becoming important fixtures of Clemson’s defensive lineup this year. Fifth-year senior Chad Smith, who is the starting weakside linebacker for the Tigers, is indicative of that. In addition to evolving from a special teams contributor to a defensive asset, Smith has grown as a team leader over the course of his Clemson tenure. Smith’s role as an off-field role model for his younger teammates has led to him becoming a P.A.W. Journey Ambassador. On the field, Smith’s tenacious approach to the game and hard-hitting style have resulted in him becoming a force to be reckoned with in Clemson’s linebacking unit.
Perhaps no one on Clemson’s roster exemplifies earning one’s keep through selfless determination to the team quite like defensive tackle Nyles Pinckney. It is undeniable that Clemson has boasted the deepest, most talented array of defensive linemen in the nation throughout its recent string of remarkable success. As a result, Pinckney, who was widely regarded as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the nation, did not receive much playing time in his first three seasons as a Tiger. he redshirted in 2016 and was a rotational player along the defensive line in 2017 and 2018. Now, Pinckney is the undisputed leader of Clemson’s defensive line and has already established himself as one of the most dominant pass rushers in the ACC.
While awards, accolades and gaudy statistics are certainly nothing to downplay, for a collegiate football player,nothing is more important than making a positive impact for the team. These four impact players are just a handful of a bevy of veteran Tigers who have made their mark through a tireless commitment to bettering the team in some way. As a result, Cervenka, Overton, Pinckney and Smith are notable assets for a Clemson squad that is aiming to win its second consecutive national championship. Respect is earned, not given, and the same can be said about earning playing time and recognition for a powerhouse football program. By embracing the opportunities presented to them in Tigertown, these impact players have showcased what champions of the gridiron are all about and have been justly rewarded for it.
