When Blake Miller took the field Saturday night against Florida State, he quietly made Clemson history. The senior right tackle started his 50th consecutive game for the Tigers — the first non-specialist ever to do so, and the latest milestone in a career that’s redefined durability in the Dabo Swinney era.
“Blake don’t say a whole lot, but Blake gave a speech in the locker room,” Swinney said. “It was awesome. I mean, there’s a reason why that’s (50 game streak) never been done by a non-specialist.”
Miller, the 6-foot-6, 315-pound mainstay from Strongsville, Ohio, entered the 2025 season with 2,893 offensive snaps over 41 career starts, and Saturday’s game pushed him beyond the 3,000-snap mark — only the seventh player on record in Clemson history to reach that plateau.
He became the first Clemson player, offensive or defensive, to start every game of his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons since Clelin Ferrell did so from 2016–18 (after redshirting in 2015). He’s also the first Clemson offensive lineman to do it without the benefit of a redshirt year since starting center Ralph Jenkins from 1943–45 — nearly 80 years ago.
Miller’s ironman streak tells part of the story; his consistency tells the rest. He’s one of only two Clemson offensive tackles since 1986 to post multiple 950-snap seasons, joining Mitch Hyatt, and one of just six players in school history with multiple 950-snap campaigns overall. In 2022, he earned Freshman All-America honors after arriving on campus and immediately claiming the starting right tackle job, and he’s since been a two-time All-ACC selection.
“He’s gonna be a great pro,” Swinney said. “He ain’t gonna wait long to hear his name called. And somebody’s gonna get a special player right there. He’s just one of the most committed guys, and he’s the same guy. He’s the same guy that showed up here — he’s never changed.”
For Swinney, Miller embodies the kind of steady leadership that Clemson’s offensive line has been built on since the program’s playoff peak — quiet, relentless, accountable.
“He loves Clemson. He loves his teammates. He loves to practice. He loves to train. He loves to play football,” Swinney said. “He loves all of it. It’s just amazing how he takes care of himself.”
Miller’s speech to teammates after the game was brief but heartfelt — another sign of how much his presence means inside the locker room. His 50th start came under the lights in Death Valley, and Swinney made sure the moment didn’t slip by unnoticed.
“It was a special moment in the locker room with him,” Swinney said. “He’s amazing.”
Clemson has produced its share of All-Americans, NFL linemen, and future pros, but few have been as dependable for as long as Miller. Fifty consecutive starts, 3,000-plus snaps, and a streak that began the day he arrived. Miller’s Clemson résumé is built on toughness, commitment, and a love for the grind that never wavered.
