It is a quality he picked up from Jay Guillermo, a Clemson center from 2013-16. As the guy serving as the backup center for the latter two of those years, Falcinelli could have easily had a dysfunctional relationship with Guillermo, but it was precisely the opposite experience for the duo.
“So many of my favorite memories are with Jay Guillermo. He was a one-of-a-kind guy as a leader, football player and person. He would always bring me along and try to teach me, and he was also the funniest person I’ve ever met.
“Before games, he’d always have a little comedy routine on the bus. It could be a terrible day of camp where we’re all hot and exhausted, but he’d have us all dying laughing. All the moments like that over the last few years are some of my favorites.”
Falcinelli understood his role as a backup for the first few years of his career, especially as a guy who did not start playing center until he arrived at Clemson. He had no idea what was going on at first, but with some tough love from offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell, he developed “to the point where you can coach yourself.”
“As a center, I don’t want to say you’re captain of the ship…you’re a part of the rudder, maybe. The quarterback is the captain, but I’ll try to help steer. It’s a lot of knowledge of what’s going to happen, what should happen and getting everyone directed in the same way. After that, it’s the same as every other offensive line position…go hit the guy…but I have to do a little thinking first.”
And think he has, as well as grow into his position since the departure of Guillermo. Falcinelli was the starter at center during the entire 2017 season and entered 2018 with 29 knockdowns in 1,229 snaps over 38 games (14 starts). He was a member of the 2018 preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, presented annually to the best center in college football, and earned preseason first-team All-ACC honors according to Street & Smith’s.
