Latest news with #ex-FloridaState
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jacksonville Jaguars Travis Etienne Comparisons Fuel Hype Around Clemson RB Gideon Davidson
For the first time in years, Clemson enters the season without a clear-cut lead back — and a freshman may be about to change that. Gideon Davidson hasn't played a down of college football yet, but he's already earning comparisons to Tigers legend Travis Etienne. ESPN tabbed him as Clemson's top newcomer for 2025, and it's not just hype — it's opportunity. With Phil Mafah gone to the NFL and no proven RB1 on the roster, Davidson could reshape Clemson's offense before his first semester ends. Advertisement Davidson, Virginia's 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year, racked up over 8,000 total yards in high school and brings elite speed and vision to a backfield in flux. ESPN's Billy Tucker calls him a potential Etienne clone for his 'quick read and cut ability,' explosive zone run potential, and home-run threat on any touch. He's smaller than Mafah but faster — and if Clemson leans into that change-of-pace style, Davidson's game could tilt the Tigers' offense toward a faster, more spread look built around Cade Klubnik and an experienced passing attack. Clemson running back Gideon Davidson (9) takes a handoff from quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) during Spring Practice© Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images He doesn't need to carry the load — not at first — but his presence alone could open up Clemson's scheme in a way it hasn't seen since Etienne's final season. Advertisement Clemson opens the year against LSU, whose own top newcomer is a familiar ACC name: ex-Florida State edge Patrick Payton. That could be a baptism-by-fire moment for Davidson, facing a motivated pass rusher with NFL tools and a chip on his shoulder. But for now, Clemson's freshman phenom isn't just chasing playing time. He's chasing history — and if he lives up to the Etienne comparisons, he might just own the backfield before October. Related: Barrett Carter Wasting No Time Making Statement at Bengals Minicamp Related: Clemson Climbs to No. 2 in ESPN's Post-Spring Top 25, Trails Only Penn State Related: Joel Klatt Sounds the Alarm, Clemson is 'Capable of Winning the National Championship' in 2025
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida A&M reportedly finalizing deal with ex-Heisman winner Charlie Ward to become men's basketball coach
Charlie Ward led Florida State to the 1993 national title after winning the Heisman Trophy. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Former New York Knicks guard and Heisman winner Charlie Ward is set to become a college basketball head coach. According to ESPN, Florida A&M is finishing a deal to hire the ex-Florida State star as its next men's basketball coach. Ward recently served as an assistant coach for USA Basketball during the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit. Advertisement The 54-year-old won the 1993 Heisman Trophy while he was a two-sport star with the Seminoles. Ward played guard for the FSU basketball team while also serving as the football team's quarterback. In 1993, he completed nearly 70% of his passes for 3,032 yards and 27 TDs with just four interceptions. He also rushed for 339 yards and four scores. The Seminoles went 12-1 that season and beat Nebraska 18-16 in the Orange Bowl to win the national title after finishing first in the final AP Top 25 of the season. FSU's only loss came to Notre Dame in November when the Fighting Irish won 31-24 in a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country. Ward chose basketball over the NFL, however, and was a first-round pick of the Knicks in the 1994 NBA Draft. He played for nine seasons with the franchise before ending his career with the Spurs and Rockets. Ward averaged 6.5 points per game over 580 appearances with the Knicks and shot 41% from the field. Ward is being lined up to replace Patrick Crarey II after Crarey left the Rattlers to coach Grambling less than a week ago. Crarey was with the school for just one season as the Rattlers went 14-17 overall and 10-8 in the SWAC with a win in the conference tournament. That record was an eight-game improvement over the 2023-24 season, when Florida A&M went 6-23 and just 4-14 in conference play. The Rattlers haven't had a winning season since making the NCAA tournament as a No. 16 seed in 2007 as a member of the MEAC.
