Clemson Running Backs Shine in 2025 Spring Game: Davidson and Eziomume Take Center Stage
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Clemson’s annual Orange and White Spring Game unfolded inside Death Valley, offering fans and coaches alike a glimpse into the future of the Tigers’ running back room. With the departure of star Phil Mafah after the 2024 season, the spotlight turned to a talented group of backs vying to fill his shoes. Among them, true freshman Gideon Davidson and redshirt freshman David Eziomume stood out, showcasing their potential in a game that pitted the offense against the defense in a unique scoring format. The offense emerged victorious, 33-15, and the running backs—particularly Davidson and Eziomume—played pivotal roles in the outcome.
A New Era at Running Back
Clemson’s 2024 season exposed a glaring need for depth at running back, as injuries to Mafah and backup Jay Haynes left the Tigers’ ground game depleted late in the year. Heading into 2025, head coach Dabo Swinney and running backs coach C.J. Spiller have emphasized developing a multi-faceted attack to support returning quarterback Cade Klubnik. The spring game served as a proving ground for a crowded backfield that includes veterans Keith Adams Jr. and Jarvis Green, the recovering Haynes, converted wide receiver Adam Randall, and the highly touted newcomers Davidson and Eziomume.
Gideon Davidson’s Debut
All eyes were on Gideon Davidson, a four-star recruit from Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia, who enrolled early in January 2025. Ranked as a top-70 national prospect and the No. 3 running back in the 2025 class by ESPN, Davidson arrived with lofty expectations. Swinney has been vocal about his belief in the 5-foot-11, 185-pound freshman, calling him “the best freshman back in the country” earlier in the spring. His high school resume—7,438 career rushing yards, 118 touchdowns, and back-to-back state titles—only fueled the hype.
Davidson entered the game in the first half, sharing a split backfield with Keith Adams Jr. His first carry, however, was a baptism by fire: the defense swarmed him in the backfield for a loss, a reminder of the adjustment from high school to college football. Despite the rocky start, Davidson showed flashes of his explosive potential later in the game. He ripped off a 12-yard run in the second quarter, displaying the burst and vision that made him Virginia’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2024. He finished the day with six carries for 28 yards, a modest stat line that belied his impact.
Post-game, Swinney praised Davidson’s resilience: “He’s still learning, but you can see the talent. That first touch—he got smothered—but he bounced back. He’s got that ‘it’ factor.” Teammate Antonio Williams echoed the sentiment, noting, “Gideon’s a dude. He’s going to be special once he gets comfortable.” While his spring game numbers didn’t leap off the page, Davidson’s athleticism and willingness to compete against a stout Clemson defense hinted at a bright future.
David Eziomume Steps Up
Redshirt freshman David Eziomume, a four-star recruit from the 2024 class, entered the spring game with a chip on his shoulder. After seeing limited action in 2024—preserving his redshirt with just a handful of snaps—Eziomume used the offseason to bulk up and refine his game. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound back from North Cobb High School in Georgia brought a physical presence to the backfield, complementing Davidson’s speed with his own blend of power and agility.
Eziomume made his mark early, converting a crucial third-down catch from backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina in the first half. The play—a 9-yard gain—set up a scoring drive and showcased his soft hands, a skill he honed during his redshirt year. On the ground, Eziomume was a workhorse, carrying the ball eight times for 47 yards, including a bruising 15-yard run that saw him drag defenders into the second level. His performance underscored his readiness to take on a bigger role after being sidelined behind Mafah and Haynes in 2024.
Coach Spiller highlighted Eziomume’s growth: “David’s put in the work. He’s stronger, more confident, and he’s showing he can be a guy we lean on.” Quarterback Trent Pearman, who connected with Eziomume on a screen pass late in the game, added, “He’s tough to bring down. You get him the ball, and he’s going to make something happen.” Eziomume’s versatility as a runner and receiver positions him as a potential every-down back, a critical asset for an offense looking to diversify its attack.
The Bigger Picture
While Davidson and Eziomume headlined the running back performances, they weren’t alone. Keith Adams Jr., a junior with three seasons in the program, chipped in with seven carries for 31 yards, including a 7-yard pickup alongside Davidson in the split backfield. His experience provides a steady hand, though his role may shift to short-yardage situations. Jarvis Green, a sophomore, added three carries for 12 yards, while Jay Haynes, still recovering from a 2024 ACL injury, saw limited snaps (two carries, 8 yards) as a precaution. Adam Randall, the converted wide receiver, flashed his speed with a 14-yard scamper, finishing with four carries for 25 yards.
The spring game’s format—offense versus defense with a modified scoring system—limited the backs’ opportunities to pile up stats, as the defense earned points for stops and turnovers. Still, the group combined for 28 carries and 151 yards, a promising sign against a Clemson defense known for its physicality. The offense’s 33 points included two rushing touchdowns—one from Eziomume and one from Adams Jr.—highlighting the backs’ ability to finish drives.
What It Means for 2025
With the season opener against LSU looming on August 30, the spring game offered a snapshot of a running back room in transition. Davidson’s raw talent and Eziomume’s physicality suggest a potential one-two punch, reminiscent of past Clemson tandems like Wayne Gallman and C.J. Fuller. However, both players face a steep learning curve. Davidson must adapt to the speed and complexity of college defenses, while Eziomume needs to prove he can handle a full workload after a year on the sidelines.
Swinney remains optimistic: “We’ve got a lot of options back there. Gideon and David—they’re going to be big-time players for us. It’s just about getting them reps and letting them grow.” Spiller, tasked with molding this group into a championship-caliber unit, sees the spring game as a starting point: “We’re building depth. These guys are hungry, and they’re pushing each other.”
For Clemson fans, the performances of Davidson and Eziomume in the 2025 Spring Game offered hope that the Tigers’ running game can rebound from its late-2024 struggles. As summer workouts and fall camp approach, the battle for RB1—and RB2—promises to be one of the most compelling storylines in Death Valley. If Saturday was any indication, the future of Clemson’s backfield is in capable hands.
