Cloy has plan in place after football

CLEMSON – Mason Cloy’s calling in life is far more important than any football game that he’ll play in during his final two seasons at Clemson.

You see, his father, retired Col. Michael Cloy, spent 27 years in the Army.

And now the younger Cloy looks to follow in his father’s footsteps at the conclusion of his Clemson career.

“I’m pretty much set on the Army. I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time. It’s what my focus is on,” Cloy told CUTigers after Thursday’s skills and drills workout.

The service has played an important part in his upbringing.

“So many people take for granted the freedom that we have and don’t really understand what it means to serve or to have family that serves,” Cloy said. “It’s pretty huge.”

Earlier this summer, he enrolled in the Army’s month-long Leader’s Training Course.

According to GoArmy.com, “LTC is four weeks of intense classroom and field training held in the summer at Fort Knox, KY. This course is an accelerated version of the two years of leadership development training Cadets receive in the Basic Course. By transforming yourself through this rigorous training, you will qualify for enrollment in the Army ROTC Advanced Course on campus-provided you have two years of college remaining (undergraduate or graduate).”

“I was real concerned that I wouldn’t be recovered in time. I struggled with it a little bit because I had to get scoped to get a little extra cartilage out of there and cleaned up,” he said. “Now it’s like it never happened.”

After breaking his leg in the ACC Championship against Georgia Tech, Cloy grew concerned that his plans for the summer—at Clemson and with the Army—could be in jeopardy.

“I was real concerned that I wouldn’t be recovered in time. I struggled with it a little bit because I had to get scoped to get a little extra cartilage out of there and cleaned up,” he said. “Now it’s like it never happened.”

Prior to LTC, Cloy tipped the scales at 300. He came back at a slimmed down 285. Offensive guards/centers coach Brad Scott would like to see Cloy with another 5-10 pounds of weight on this fall.

Once believed to be the incumbent at Thomas Austin’s left guard spot, Cloy is aware that he could end up as David Smith’s backup. That would come less than a year after Cloy was moved to a reserve role with Dalton Freeman’s promotion to starting center.

Still, starter or otherwise, Cloy’s willing to accept either ole.

“I know if that’s where I can serve the team best—getting guys reps and rolling them out—that’s what I’ll do,” Cloy said.

Sounds like Cloy is already working for the greater good.

That should serve him well once his football career concludes in 2011.

And his country too.