09-07-2025
ESPN breaks down Clemson football's biggest area of concern heading into the 2025 season
For Clemson football's offense to take another step in 2025, all eyes are on the running backs.
In its preseason Top 25 breakdown, ESPN highlighted the backfield as the Tigers' main unknown on offense heading into fall camp. With Phil Mafah off to the NFL, Clemson loses its biggest source of rushing production, putting the spotlight on what comes next.
'The position group that has been discussed more than any other since the spring at Clemson is running back — the only position on offense that loses the bulk of its production with Phil Mafah off to the NFL,' ESPN's Andrea Adelson wrote. 'But the Tigers have plenty of depth at running back, and that should help ease any concerns as they move into fall camp. Particularly because running back traditionally has been an area where Clemson has excelled, even when other groups on offense took a step back. (Clemson has had a 1,000-yard rusher 11 of the past 16 years, and that does not include 2023, when Mafah and Will Shipley split the carries nearly evenly and combined for more than 1,700 yards.)'
Gideon Davidson, a true freshman, is already drawing buzz as a possible impact player in year one. The Tigers have also had wide receiver Adam Randall practicing at running back to add another option alongside Keith Adams Jr. and David Eziomume. Jay Haynes, who tore his ACL in the ACC title game, is still rehabbing but had carved out the second-most carries among Clemson backs last fall with 43 for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Adams Jr. chipped in with 30 carries for 122 yards and one score.
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