CLEMSON — The so-called national experts have determined the one weak link on the Clemson football team is its offensive line, but head coach Tommy Bowden is feeling good about the talented but inexperienced group.

The Tigers lost four starters along the line from last year, including All-ACC performers in Barry Richardson and Chris McDuffie, who were also named to various All-American teams following their senior campaigns.

Only center Thomas Austin is counted as a returning starter, though Barry Humphries had a pair of starts at guard after being replaced at center by Austin, but Bowden has liked what he has seen out of the group as August practice has rolled along.

“They’ve made good progress, they really have,” Bowden said. “They’ve seen multiple looks and blitzes, and I think we’ve got a chance to be pretty good up front defensively, so they’re blocking good bodies.”

As it stands for the vacated positions, Chris Hairston is the starting left tackle, with Cory Lambert holding down the job at right tackle, while Jamarcus Grant will occupy a guard spot along with Humphries.

Bowden has also been pleased with the play of his reserves, saying that there has been strong competition, particularly between Mason Cloy and Wilson Norris at guard.

“We’re kind of settled in on a front five offensively,” Bowden said. “Cloy has kind of worked pretty hard up there as a third guard right now and kind of separated himself a little bit from Wilson.”

Back to the grind. The Tigers will hold a closed scrimmage from 9:30 a.m. till noon this morning in Memorial Stadium before beginning class on Wednesday. The team won’t hold practice that day, but the coaching staff will stay plenty busy as it begins preparations for the Alabama game.

Bowden and his coaches will also continue discussions on which players to redshirt before the season begins, while also dividing up its scout teams.

As it stands, senior running back Rendrick Taylor is the only player confirmed to be in line for a redshirt, and Bowden has stated multiple times that he could play as large a group of true freshmen as he has during his tenure at Clemson.