After injury-shortened season, Apollo-Ridge grad Greg Klingensmith back to anchor William & Mary O-line

Perhaps not surprisingly, it isn’t difficult to find reminders of Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin around the William & Mary football facility.

Tomlin still holds the program record for highest yards-per-catch average in a season (25.5 in 1992) and for a career (20.1).

Across the street from the Williamsburg, Va., campus is Paul’s Deli, a favorite hangout for students and locals. Apollo-Ridge grad Greg Klingensmith has been there many times and seen the photos of Tomlin that adorn the walls. He even met Tomlin outside the restaurant.

“He made a name for himself down here, for sure,” said the Tribe’s senior right tackle.

Klingensmith is hoping to do the same and, perhaps, one day meet Tomlin on an NFL field.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder is back as the Tribe’s starting right tackle, a position he held for the first six games of 2024 until an injury ended his season. Against Towson last October, he dislocated his shoulder and suffered a torn labrum in the process.

He was cleared to return to action only in June, so he missed spring ball. But Klingensmith said he feels “better now than I have in my entire college career.”

While he was sidelined, he made good use of his time. As it happened, a number of W&M’s offensive linemen dealt with injuries, so they would observe and dissect what was going on during games and practices.

“It was kind of nice standing with them all the time and kind of bouncing ideas back and forth and kind of looking at the plays and what we could do better,” he said. “And also helping the younger guys as well. That was a big part of it.”

Klingensmith is part of a veteran offensive line group that includes sixth-year center Ryan McKenna and junior Kadin Lynch, who started all 12 games at left guard last season. Several other players who have starting experience also return.

The unit is working under a new coach, Jack Armstrong. A former William & Mary receiver, Armstrong had been on the staff for five previous seasons as tight ends coach until assuming the role of offensive line coach/run game coordinator this season.

Armstrong has been an important figure in Klingensmith’s journey. W&M changed offensive line coaches after Klingensmith had committed, but it was Armstrong, he said, who gave him assurances that the team still wanted him. Armstrong even had dinner at Klingensmith’s home in Apollo.

“It’s honestly kind of surreal,” Klingensmith said. “It’s really a full-circle moment for him being my coach.”

Armstrong said he was impressed by how Klingensmith attacked his rehab and is ecstatic to have him back to full strength.

“He’s extremely quick,” Armstrong said. “For a guy his size, he’s an excellent athlete and uses his length. He’s got long arms, throws his hands, gets his hands on guys before they can get to him.”

How the Tribe’s offensive line comes together this season will be crucial. W&M must replace its top three rushers from 2024 — including quarterback Darius Wilson — who accounted for 28 touchdowns and more than 2,400 yards.

And for as much experience as the O-line returns, it has to replace tackle Charles Grant, who was named All-American by several organizations and drafted in the third round by the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I learned a lot from Charles,” Klingensmith said. “I was always asking him questions. I learned a lot from him, and he’s, honestly, a great guy. I think he’s going to do really well in the NFL.”

Klingensmith hopes he can do the same in the near future. He will graduate with a degree in public policy, which he hopes to use to get a job with the FBI, secret service or some other post involving security.

But the NFL is foremost in his mind at the moment.

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” Klingensmith said. “From what I’ve heard from my coaches and how I have been performing, I believe I have a solid chance. But this season will decide that. If I have a good season this year, I think that will get some eyes on me.”

Maybe even Mike Tomlin’s.