In the summer of 2011, Tigerillustrated.com published a lengthy series of interviews with a wide cross-section of former Clemson football players.

The main question was short and open-ended: What’s your take on the current state of Clemson’s football program?

The takes varied, largely because the results to that point had varied. Clemson had been a rollercoaster under Tommy Bowden, and the same trend had taken shape in Dabo Swinney’s first two full seasons.

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It wasn’t hard to see better days ahead in the summer of 2011 as Swinney and his staff managed to hold together a stellar recruiting class that included Sammy Watkins.

It was, however, difficult to conceive of what has happened over the last five seasons: Two national titles, five consecutive trips to the College Football Playoff, and four appearances in the national title game.

ALSO SEE: IN THEIR WORDS: Roman Fry | IN THEIR WORDS: Brandon Maye | IN THEIR WORDS: Dalton Freeman | IN THEIR WORDS: Ricky Sapp | IN THEIR WORDS: Tig Willard | IN THEIR WORDS: Reggie Merriweather | IN THEIR WORDS: Billy Davis | IN THEIR WORDS: Jock McKissic | IN THEIR WORDS: Durrell Barry | IN THEIR WORDS: Chris Chancellor | IN THEIR WORDS: Willie Simmons | IN THEIR WORDS: Mark Buchholz | IN THEIR WORDS: Stanley Hunter | IN THEIR WORDS: Derrick Hamilton | IN THEIR WORDS: Ben Hall | IN THEIR WORDS: Woody Dantzler

Nine years ago, it seemed crazy to think Clemson could take up sustained residence atop the college football mountain. Now it seems crazy to think the Tigers won’t continue this run for years to come.

So we take up an idea that’s the same as the one back in 2011, but one with an entirely different complexion now that Swinney has established Clemson as a dominant force in college football.

Here is the 17th installment in this special summer series:

CHRIS HAIRSTON

Position: Offensive tackle

Years lettered: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010