Clemson Names New Top Running Back Ahead of Showdown

Clemson Names New Top Running Back Ahead of Showdown With LSU

A position switch and strong preseason showings have propelled Adam Randall into Clemsons top running back spot ahead of a high-stakes opener against LSU.

IMAGE: Clemson wide receiver Adam Randall (8) runs down the hill before a game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Memorial Stadium. / USA TODAY NETWORK-USA TODAY NETWORK / Imagn Images

As the calendar edges closer to the college football season, Clemson is locking in on what might be its deepest and most balanced roster in recent memory – a blend of experience, upside, and young talent itching to make an immediate impact. With preseason camp wrapping up and position battles all but finalized, Dabo Swinney’s Tigers are set to kick off their 2025 campaign against LSU in a top-10 showdown under the lights at Memorial Stadium. Here’s how Clemson is shaping up – position by position – heading into Week 1.

Quarterback

Starter: Cade Klubnik

Backups: Christopher Vizzina, Trent Pearman, Chris Denson

Cade Klubnik is back for one more run, and the Heisman chatter is very real. The senior enters 2025 as the clear-cut starter after blossoming last year, solidifying himself as one of the best signal-callers in the country.

Backing him up is redshirt sophomore Christopher Vizzina, who continues to take reps with the first team and is widely expected to be the next man up in 2026. Pearman and Denson provide developmental depth behind them.

Running Back

Starter: Adam Randall

Backups: Keith Adams, David Eziomume, Gideon Davidson, Jay Haynes

The Tigers have taken an unconventional route at running back, with former wide receiver Adam Randall transitioning to the backfield full-time – and looking every bit the part of RB1. Randall’s had consistent first-team reps in camp, but don’t be surprised if Clemson deploys a committee approach, especially with names like Davidson – a gifted freshman – potentially carving out a role as the season progresses. Adams and Eziomume bring reliability, while Haynes is an intriguing change-of-pace option.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore

Backups: Tyler Brown, Tristan Smith, Cole Turner

Clemson’s receiver room features both proven playmakers and ascending stars. Antonio Williams returns after leading the team in every major receiving category last season.

Alongside him, Wesco and Moore – who impressed as freshmen – now step into bigger roles as full-time starters. Brown, Smith, and Turner are no slouches either; all three offer versatility and depth and could factor into various packages given Swinney’s confidence in the group’s overall talent.

Tight End

Starter: Olsen Patt-Henry

Backups: Josh Sapp, Christian Bentancur, Logan Brooking

With Jake Briningstool off to the pros, Olsen Patt-Henry becomes the next man up at tight end. He flashed last season with three touchdowns and will now look to become a bigger fixture in both the pass game and in-line blocking. Expect Josh Sapp and Christian Bentancur to rotate in when Clemson loads up – especially in red-zone or play-action situations.

Offensive Line

Starters: Tristan Leigh (LT), Collin Sadler (LG), Ryan Linthicum (C), Walker Parks (RG), Blake Miller (RT)

Backups: Harris Sewell, Elyjah Thurmon, Brayden Jacobs, Mason Wade, Easton Ware

This O-line unit is mostly set, with four returning end-of-season starters back to protect Klubnik and pave the way up front. The only real competition came at left guard, where Collin Sadler has edged ahead of Harris Sewell but could still rotate early.

Dabo has emphasized he expects seven linemen to see meaningful snaps, with Thurmon joining the rotation. The rest of the reserves are still developing and searching for consistency.

Defensive Line

Starters: T.J. Parker, Will Heldt, Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart

Backups: Jaheim Lawson, Caden Denhoff, Darien Mayo, Stephiylan Green, Vic Burley, Amare Adams

If you’re circling a position group to dominate in 2025, circle this one. Peter Woods and T.J.

Parker are already drawing NFL first-round projections, and the addition of Purdue transfer Will Heldt adds another proven playmaker to the mix. DeMonte Capehart returns for his sixth year – a luxury most programs would dream of.

But what makes this group potentially elite is the depth: Lawson, Green, Burley, and Adams are all rotation-caliber players who could start on plenty of Power 5 units.

Linebacker

Starters: Wade Woodaz, Sammy Brown, Jeremiah Alexander (SAM)

Backups: Kobe McCloud, Jamal Anderson, Dee Crayton

Wade Woodaz and Sammy Brown were tackling machines last season and return to anchor the middle. Alexander, a transfer from Alabama, adds versatility and gives Clemson a strong-side linebacker who can play downhill against heavier sets. Swinney has praised backup trio McCloud, Crayton, and Anderson all camp long – and there’s a belief that this linebacker room is one of the most dynamic Clemson has fielded in years.

Cornerback

Starters: Avieon Terrell, Ashton Hampton, Shelton Lewis (nickel)

Backups: Jeadyn Lukus, Branden Strozier, Corian Gipson, Misun Kelley

The secondary looks solid, especially at corner. Terrell and Hampton return after finishing last season as starters, while Shelton Lewis is poised to reprise his role in the nickel.

Jeadyn Lukus could just as easily be considered a starter – he’s had that kind of camp. Strozier and Gipson have flashed this preseason and are pushing their way into rotation roles.

With Khalil Barnes banged up, the flexibility of this group – especially at nickel – will be critical early on.

Safety

Starters: Khalil Barnes, Kylon Griffin

Backups: Ricardo Jones, Ronan Hanafin, Tyler Venables

Top of the depth chart is once again Khalil Barnes, back after leading the Tigers in interceptions each of the past two seasons. His ball skills, range, and ability to rotate into nickel give Clemson a chess piece in the back end.

Griffin returns to the starting lineup after holding the spot last year, but things could shift as the season wears on – with freshman Ricardo Jones and sophomore Ronan Hanafin pushing from behind. Even with R.J.

Mickens off to the NFL, Swinney likes where this group stands.

Kicker

Starter: Nolan Hauser

Backup: Robert Gunn III

Hauser etched his name into Clemson lore last year with a 56-yard walk-off field goal to win the ACC Championship. Now in his second season, he returns as the unquestioned starter. Robert Gunn III continues to provide depth and should be ready if called upon, but this is Hauser’s job heading into Week 1.

Punter

Starter: Jack Smith

Backups: Will McCune, Robert Gunn III

The punter job hasn’t been officially decided, but Jack Smith appears to be first in line after waiting patiently behind Aidan Swanson. Swinney has kept the door open, however, praising both McCune and Gunn for their preseason performances. If Smith stumbles early, the leash may be short – but for now, he has the inside track.

Backups: Gideon Davidson, T.J. Moore, Bryant Wesco Jr.

Adam Randall isn’t just moving the chains as a running back – he’s taking on return duties too. His 41-yard kickoff in the ACC title game paved the way for that iconic game-winner, and he brings a burst that could flip field position quickly.

Antonio Williams is back as the primary punt returner and will be hunting for his first score on special teams in 2025. Davidson, Moore, and Wesco are all explosive enough to step in if needed.

Holder / Long Snapper

FG Snaps: Holden Caspersen

Punt Snaps: Philip Florenzo

Caspersen was a model of reliability last season, handling long-snapping duties on field goals. Florenzo returns as the go-to guy on punt snaps and also made a mark on coverage teams with seven special-teams tackles in 2024.

Final Thoughts

This 2025 Clemson squad has the feel of a team built for both the present and the future – a veteran quarterback, multiple future pros on defense, and a handful of freshmen who bring serious upside. Week 1 against LSU will tell us a lot, but on paper, this Tigers roster looks poised to make a legitimate run at something special.