While much of the attention of late has centered around the current recruiting class, Clemson's 2025 class got off to a scorching start on Wednesday.
4-star RB Gideon Davidson (Liberty Christian, Lynchburg, Va) announced a commitment to the Tigers, becoming the first member of the 2025 class. However, while he just went public, Davidson was on board the day he picked up the offer from head coach Dabo Swinney and running backs coach CJ Spiller.
"I committed to Clemson on May 31," Davidson told All Clemson Tigers. "Coach Swinney and Coach Spiller were on the phone with me. I committed to them after they gave me the offer."
Being one of the best running backs in the 2025 class and Top 70 player overall, Davidson was pursued by most every major college football program in the country, including Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee. In the end, though, it was Davidson's respect for the coaching staff and the culture inside of the program that helped Clemson win out.
"I'd say the coaches and the culture are the two biggest reasons. I'd also say the program, so make that three," he said. "The coaches are just great. The coaches know how to win. I relate to the coaches. Just the kind of coaches I want to be around. The culture is amazing. You don't hear about bad players getting in trouble, or whatever. I just think that's like a big, big part of where I want to be and who I want to be around. And then also just the program is a good program. It's a winning culture, winning program, and Dabo Swinney knows how to win."
Part of that love Davidson has for the coaching staff centers around Spiller, with the Tigers' running backs coach playing a major part in landing one of the best running backs in the class.
"He played a big role," Davidson said. "He's definitely a coach who's been there and done it. I just feel like being coached by coach Spiller is going to be a great experience. We talked a lot and I just relate to coach Spiller in a lot of ways."
Having yet to even begin his junior year, Davidson is admittedly shutting his recruitment down a little early, but now that the decision has been made, there's actually a feeling of relief.
"The recruiting process started pretty early for me and it just feels like a relief to get it over with," Davidson said. "Now I can focus on one school and prepare these next two seasons to get ready for college football."
As a freshman, Davidson rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns. As a sophomore last season, the blue-chip prospect picked up All-State honors while also being named to MaxPreps' Sophomore All-American Team.
With his recruitment now over, Davidson plans to go to work on helping the Tigers recruit. He plans to start contacting targets, and his message will be clear.
"I'll be doing my best contacting these guys trying to get them to Clemson," Davidson said. "Just pointing them towards the culture because I feel a lot of these guys want to be part of a good culture, good program, and Clemson just has pretty much everything you want."
Photo courtesy of Gideon Davidson.
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