Clemson, SC – July 16, 2025 – The spotlight at Clemson’s 2025 Media Day shone brightly on running backs coach C.J. Spiller, a Clemson legend and College Football Hall of Famer, as he addressed the media about the state of his running back room heading into a pivotal season. With the departure of stalwarts like Phil Mafah and Will Shipley to the NFL, Spiller faces the challenge of molding a talented but unproven group of backs into a cohesive unit capable of carrying Clemson’s high-octane offense. His remarks, delivered with the poise of a former All-American and the insight of a seasoned coach, painted a picture of a running back room brimming with potential, anchored by a culture of brotherhood, and driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Drawing from his comments during the session, this article delves into Spiller’s vision for the 2025 running back corps, his expectations for key players, and the overarching themes he emphasized at Media Day.
C.J. Spiller and Clemson’s Running Backs: A New Era Begins at Fall CampAs Clemson football prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes are on running backs coach C.J. Spiller and his talented yet unproven group of backs. With the departure of star running backs Phil Mafah and Will Shipley to the NFL, Spiller faces the challenge of molding a new generation of playmakers to carry the Tigers’ ground game. At Clemson’s 2025 Media Day, Spiller and head coach Dabo Swinney provided insights into the running back room, expressing optimism about its depth and potential. “People are going to question this group until they prove it,” Swinney said. “But from what we’ve seen, there’s a lot to be excited about.” Let’s break down the running backs on the roster—Gideon Davidson, Adam Randall, Jarvis Green, David Eziomume, Keith Adams Jr., and Jay Haynes—examining their experience and potential as they head into fall camp.
C.J. Spiller: The Coach Under PressureC.J. Spiller, a Clemson legend and Ring of Honor member, has been the Tigers’ running backs coach since 2021, taking over just as Travis Etienne, the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, left for the NFL. Despite his storied playing career, Spiller’s tenure as a coach has faced scrutiny. “I feel like the running back room at Clemson has underperformed under Spiller’s guidance. It feels like it’s the money year for Spiller… almost a make-or-break type vibe.” With no clear No. 1 back entering 2025, Spiller’s ability to develop this group will be critical. At Media Day, he emphasized competition and growth, saying, “It’s a real close competition. And that was really the challenge for these guys… Who’s going to be that guy?” His task is to reignite Clemson’s run game, historically a strength, and prove this unit can move beyond the shadows of Etienne, Shipley, and Mafah
Gideon Davidson: The High-Profile FreshmanExperience: Gideon Davidson, a true freshman and consensus four-star recruit, arrives as one of the most hyped additions to Clemson’s 2025 class. Named Virginia’s 3A Player of the Year, Davidson rushed for 2,165 yards and 34 touchdowns in his senior season at Liberty Christian Academy, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. He enrolled early and participated in spring practice, where he turned heads with his receiving ability and athleticism, though he recorded a modest nine carries for 31 yards in the spring game.
Potential: ESPN analysts have compared Davidson to Spiller himself, praising his vision, speed, and fit in Clemson’s scheme. “Davidson excels on zones, split zones, and counters, and his great vision and speed should fit nicely into Clemson’s scheme,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. Swinney called him “poised, instinctive, and incredibly athletic,” noting his need to refine lower-body mechanics. Spiller is equally optimistic, stating, “If he does the things he needs to do, he’ll have an opportunity to play. That’s the beauty of Gideon—he knows high school was high school.” As a potential breakout star, Davidson could compete for immediate playing time, though relying on a true freshman as a lead back carries risks.
Adam Randall: The Versatile ConvertExperience: Adam Randall, a senior, is a unique case, transitioning from wide receiver to running back. In 37 career games as a receiver, he caught 48 passes for 533 yards and two touchdowns. His move to the backfield began out of necessity during the 2024 College Football Playoff loss to Texas, where he led the team with 44 yards on four carries, including a 41-yard burst. Randall worked with the starters during spring practice, showing promise in his new role.
Potential: Randall’s athleticism and pass-catching ability make him a dynamic weapon. Swinney described his transition as “phenomenal,” saying, “He’s been awesome all spring… He’s been really good.” Spiller and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley see Randall as a potential game-changer, with Swann noting, “He might be the best receiving running back Clemson’s had in years—maybe ever.” However, his lack of experience at the position and the need to master new mechanics pose challenges. Spiller must balance coaching Randall’s transition with developing other backs, but if successful, Randall could be “a problem” for defenses, as Swinney put it.
Jarvis Green: The Under-the-Radar TalentExperience: Redshirt sophomore Jarvis Green has limited game experience, with 12 career carries for 53 yards. A standout at Dutch Fork High School, Green rushed for 2,272 yards as a senior, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. He showed flashes in 2024, including a touchdown catch on a wheel route against Texas, but appeared in only a few games due to the depth ahead of him. A midfoot sprain sidelined him during spring practice, limiting his development.
Potential: Green’s high school production and versatility as a receiver suggest significant upside. Spiller noted progress last spring, saying, “Jarvis Green took another step forward.” With Mafah and Shipley gone, Green has a chance to climb the depth chart, but he’ll need to stay healthy and prove he can handle a larger role. His speed and playmaking ability could make him a valuable contributor if he capitalizes on fall camp opportunities.
David Eziomume: The Redshirt Rising StarExperience: David Eziomume, a redshirt freshman, saw minimal action in 2024, carrying the ball 10 times for 62 yards while preserving his redshirt. In the 2025 spring game, he led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 69 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown run. Spiller praised his progress, noting, “He did a great job… as the spring went on, he got better.”
Potential: Eziomume’s spring performance earned high praise from Swinney, who said, “He’s stacking days. He’s had a couple of really good days.” His combination of size and speed makes him a candidate for a breakout season. With a year in the system, Eziomume is poised to take on a more prominent role, potentially forming a dynamic duo with Davidson. His development will be crucial, especially if Haynes’ recovery delays his return.
Keith Adams Jr.: The Physical VeteranExperience: Keith Adams Jr., a redshirt junior, is the most experienced back on the roster with 44 career carries for 122 yards. In 2024, he had 30 carries, primarily in short-yardage situations, with 11 rushes against Virginia and Wake Forest but only five over the next six games. He carried seven times for 47 yards in the spring game. As the son of Clemson Hall of Famer Keith Adams, he brings a legacy and work ethic to the room.
Potential: Adams is known for his physicality, with Swinney noting, “When Keith runs, he runs angry… He and a linebacker just collided like two bulls.” Spiller highlighted his progress, saying, “Keith did an awesome job this spring, took another step forward.” While not an explosive playmaker, Adams’ high motor and reliability make him a valuable tone-setter, likely best suited for short-yardage and goal-line situations. His experience gives him an edge, but he’ll need to fend off younger, more dynamic backs.
Jay Haynes: The Speedy Sophomore Sidelined Experience: Sophomore Jay Haynes was poised for a breakout in 2024, rushing 43 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard touchdown against The Citadel. However, a torn ACL in the ACC Championship Game against SMU sidelined him, and he’ll likely be limited in fall camp as he recovers. Haynes was the backup to Mafah, averaging 6.9 yards per carry in limited action.
Potential: Before his injury, Haynes was a home-run threat, with Swinney calling him “our most improved player last year.” His speed and explosiveness could elevate Clemson’s offense, but his recovery timeline is uncertain. Spiller noted, “The good thing, going into the spring, everybody is healthy,” but Haynes’ status for fall camp remains a question mark. If he returns to full strength, Haynes could reclaim a lead role; otherwise, he may need time to regain his form.
Outlook for Fall Camp As Clemson heads into fall camp, Spiller’s running back room is a mix of unproven talent and intriguing potential. “It’s a deep group, and I think when it’s all said and done, it’ll be a very productive group for us throughout the season,” Swinney said. Davidson and Eziomume offer explosive upside, Randall brings versatility, Adams provides physicality, Green adds depth, and Haynes remains a wild card pending his recovery. Spiller’s challenge is to identify a lead back—or a committee—capable of replacing Mafah’s production. At Media Day, he emphasized competition, saying, “The good thing is each player is fully embracing the competition.”
With a high-powered offense led by senior quarterback Cade Klubnik and a veteran offensive line, the running backs have a strong foundation to succeed. However, the lack of a proven starter makes this group a focal point. As ESPN’s Andrea Adelson noted, “The position group that has been discussed more than any other since the spring at Clemson is running back.” Fall camp will be critical for Spiller to refine mechanics, build chemistry, and determine the pecking order. If he can harness this group’s potential, Clemson’s running game could once again be a strength, propelling the Tigers toward their national title aspirations in 2025.
