Way-Too-Early look at Clemson’s Running-Backs room in 2025

With Phil Mafah declaring for the 2025 draft, there is a RB1 spot waiting to be filled. There is significant talent at that position in this roster, let’s see how it will shape out for the upcoming season. After Mafah, Jay Haynes saw the second-most snaps, with many looking for him to fill the coveted starting job.

110Society announces the retention of all eligible running backs on the roster.

Jay Haynes:

The 5’11” 195 lbs redshirt-freshman recorded 43 carries for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. Though Phil Mafah was the designated starting RB1 during the 2024 season, Haynes provided a change of pace being much more of a halfback, a smaller but quicker back. Depending on how spring practices go, it is expected that Jay Haynes will assume the RB1 position come August 30th, 2025 against LSU. Unfortunately Haynes suffered a torn ACL in the victory over SMU in the ACC championship.

Keith Adams Jr.

Adams rushed for 122 yards and 1 touchdown over 30 carries. The 5'9" 215 lb fullback has had limited opportunities to show his potential due to Mafah and Haynes being ahead of him on the depth chart. However, his role is anticipated to increase due to the departure of Phil Mafah, the team's leading fullback.

Jarvis Green

Despite a fantastic receiving touchdown during the Clemson-Texas playoff game back in December, Jarvis Green has not had his name called many times, simply because of where he is on the depth chart. The redshirt-freshman 5'9" 200 lb back recorded 9 carries for 53 yards in addition to 2 receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown (25 yds). Spring practices will be a huge indicator for how much playing time he will see next year.

David Eziomume

The true freshman had 62 yards off of 10 carries with a career-long of 17 yards. Though seeing most of his snaps during the final minutes of games during the first half of the season, Eziomume shows promise and looks to take a much larger role next year. Standing at 6'0" and 210 lbs, the talented back should see more opportunities to hone his skill and make an impact next year as a fullback.

Adam Randall

Dabo Swinney has announced that they are looking to move Adam Random from wide receiver to running back this offseason after setting up a game-winning field goal with a 41-yard kick return. Randall saw 4 snaps at running back against Texas and recorded 44 yards with a 41-yard rush recorded as well. Texas had been stopping the run all day. Adam would have a rather large frame for a running back being 6'2" and 225 lbs, though being a receiver previously could shape up to be interesting if the coaching staff decides to get creative with his usage.

Gideon Davidson

The midyear enrollee was rated as a borderline 5-star and ranked as the #3 running back in his class though many believe he has the upside to be the #1 running back. During his junior and senior year, Davidson recorded 453 carries for 4881 yards (10.8 avg) and 77 touchdowns. He additionally recorded 8 receptions for 60 yards and another 2 touchdowns. Depending on how this offseason shapes out, Gideon Davidson is likely to the RB1 with a frame of 6'0" 190 lbs. He is regarded as one of the fastest recruits in the class, speed that Clemson can surely use next year seeing as most running backs on the roster currently are more suited to a fullback role.

It is obvious that there is so much talent within this room and that will only be expanded throughout the offseason. It is very likely that Clemson fans could see a "1-2-punch" situation with a starting-caliber halfback and fullback being able to alternate and wear down the defense. As of right now, we can only speculate which personnel that will be.