One of the top running backs in the next recruiting cycle made his way back to campus last weekend.

4-star Gideon Davidson (Liberty Christian, Lynchburg, Va.) made the first of two scheduled spring visits and it’s how he is typically treated by the coaching staff that always stands out.

“Just genuine coaches,” Davidson told All Clemson Tigers. “How they were really honest and just nice. I just love being around coach Spiller and coach Swinney and stuff. The new offensive coordinator, I love Garrett Riley too.”

Davidson’s last visit was back in October for the Tigers’ win over NC State, meaning this trip was his first opportunity at meeting Riley in person.

“I think he’s a cool dude,” Davidson said. “He’s very honest, just like Coach Swinney. He’s very energetic. I love an energetic offensive coordinator. He’s creative too and I think that’s very important.”

Another highlight of the visit was continuing to bond with running backs coach C.J. Spiller. On his last visit Davidson beat Spiller twice playing ping pong. This time, he doubled that number.

“I beat him four games this time,” Davidson said with a laugh.

The two also relate beyond the ping pong table, as Davidson admittedly looks up to the former first round NFL Draft pick.

“I have a great relationship with him,” he said. “I can relate really well with him. Also, he’s pretty much like what I want to be when I grow up. Be in a great college football program, then go to the NFL one day, hopefully, coach, and he’s done all that.”

Davidson is arguably the top running back in the 2025 class and a Top 50 talent overall. Outside of Clemson, he said some of the teams recruiting him the hardest at this point are Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan and Oklahoma. He plans to return to Clemson on April 15 for the spring game.

As for a timeline on making a decision, Davidson said that he could see himself making one as early as later this summer.

“Hopefully, either August or January of next year,” he said.

Until then, Davidson plans to continue going through the process and looking for the school that checks all of the boxes he is looking for in a program.

“A winning program,” Davidson said when asked what he is looking for in a school. “Also, I would say how well the academics are and geography.”

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