Clemson's Coaching Staff Expects Star to Have 'Eye-Popping' Season

The Clemson Tigers offense will look much different in the upcoming season than the unit that was the main reason for a 7-6 record. 

Quarterback Cade Klubnik had a disappointing final season at Clemson, though it's unclear how much of his performance had to do with the shortcomings of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

Riley is out, and the Tigers are hoping that a reunion with Chad Morris brings the offense back to what it was nearly a decade ago. Clemson hasn't named a starting quarterback yet, with Tait Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina having a competitive spring practice.

With questions at quarterback, Clemson needs its running game to be elite this season.

Brad Crawford of CBS Sports named Gideon Davidson as a sophomore player on the Tigers that could keep head coach Dabo Swinney's program in the College Football Playoff conversation late this fall. The staff expects the second-year running back to have an "eye-popping" season for Clemson.

"If there's any hope that Dabo Swinney's hire of Chad Morris as offensive coordinator works out this fall, Davidson's production is paramount to that development," Crawford wrote. "He rushed 60 times for 260 yards and had 11 receptions over 190 snaps as a true freshman in 2025 and now gets first-team reps for the first time as a versatile threat of sorts. 

"The Tigers signed Chris Johnson (SMU) in the portal to provide backfield assistance, but Davidson is a former four-star with track speed that this coaching staff expects to have an eye-popping campaign."

Morris noted that the running back room came a long way during spring football, but Davidson stood out most.

“I think Gideon’s had a really good spring,” Morris said, via Sports Illustrated. “I really do. I think Gideon’s had a really solid spring. I mean, runs hard... Gideon, to me, has stood out as much as anybody, but they’ve all gotten quality reps. 

"They’ve all grown, and, you know, I think that it’s getting guys back healthy has been key at that position.”

Davidson didn't have a large role on the Tigers in 2025. That will likely change this fall. 

Clemson needs someone to take charge of the offense, and that could come from the backfield.