Adam Randall Set to Start at Running Back for Clemson Tigers in 2025, Embracing New Role in Evolving Offense

Adam Randall Set to Start at Running Back for Clemson Tigers in 2025, Embracing New Role in Evolving Offense

Adam Randall’s journey to becoming the likely starting running back for the Clemson Tigers in the 2025 college football season is anything but conventional. Known throughout his career as a wide receiver, the athletic and versatile Randall is making a bold position switch that has taken fans and analysts by surprise — and reignited curiosity about how Clemson’s offense will evolve under head coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley.

While his shift to the backfield is still technically unofficial — Clemson has yet to release a full depth chart — all signs from summer workouts, insider reports, and practice reps indicate that Randall is being prepared to take the majority of snaps at running back this fall. It’s a development that not only speaks volumes about Randall’s unique skill set, but also about how the Tigers are adapting to personnel changes and embracing creativity to maximize their offensive potential in 2025.

At 6-foot-2 and nearly 220 pounds, Randall brings a physical profile rarely seen at running back. His size, speed, and lower-body strength make him difficult to bring down in the open field. A highly rated prospect in the class of 2022 out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Randall entered Clemson as a dynamic pass catcher with elite athleticism. Injuries slowed his early development, but by 2024, he had become a reliable part of the wide receiver rotation, finishing the season with several clutch catches and earning praise for his toughness and work ethic.

But it was that same physicality — along with the team’s evolving depth chart — that prompted Clemson’s coaching staff to consider a bigger role for him. With Will Shipley declaring for the NFL Draft and Phil Mafah surprisingly entering the transfer portal in early spring, the Tigers found themselves with an unexpected void in the running back room. While sophomore Keith Adams Jr. and freshman Jaylen Morgan have talent, neither brought the same experience or all-around skill set that Shipley and Mafah offered.

Enter Randall.

Reports from Clemson’s spring practices noted that Randall was taking snaps out of the backfield, running inside zone plays, catching swing passes, and even lining up in wildcat formations. What began as an experiment quickly became a feature. Coaches were impressed with Randall’s vision, ball security, and ability to pick up blitzes. Perhaps more importantly, they recognized the mismatch nightmare he posed against linebackers and safeties in open space.

“Adam’s a weapon,” said offensive coordinator Garrett Riley during a summer press conference. “We’ve always known that. What we’ve discovered is that he can be a different kind of weapon — one who gives us flexibility and forces defenses to make tough decisions.”

Riley, entering his third season calling plays for Clemson, has been lauded for his ability to innovate and tailor his schemes to the strengths of his personnel. Last season, he introduced more pre-snap motion, creative formations, and RPO packages — all with the goal of opening up the field and stressing defenses laterally. Randall’s move to running back fits right into that philosophy. With his background as a receiver, he’s a natural pass catcher out of the backfield, capable of lining up wide and then motioning in to force mismatches.

The concept of a hybrid RB/WR isn’t new to college football — think of players like Deebo Samuel at South Carolina or Percy Harvin at Florida — but few have made the full transition from wide receiver to running back as completely as Randall appears poised to do. That Clemson is willing to make such a move underscores two realities: first, their confidence in Randall’s versatility, and second, their commitment to getting the best 11 players on the field at all times, regardless of traditional position labels.

From Randall’s perspective, the position change has been met with determination and humility. Known for his quiet intensity and work ethic, he hasn’t tried to drum up headlines or make it about himself. Instead, he’s focused on mastering the nuances of the position, including reading blocks, timing handoffs, and handling the increased physical demands of running between the tackles.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Randall said in a recent interview. “If that means carrying the ball instead of catching it, I’m ready. I’m learning every day and trusting the coaches to put me in the best position.”

Teammates have taken notice of his commitment. Quarterback Christopher Vizzina, entering his first season as the full-time starter, has praised Randall’s leadership and versatility, noting that the offense feels more dynamic with him in the backfield. “He’s one of those guys who just makes plays,” Vizzina said. “And when he’s out there, defenses have to account for him. It opens up everything else.”

That “everything else” includes a potentially explosive Clemson offense, built around Vizzina’s arm talent, a deep receiver corps featuring Antonio Williams and Tyler Brown, and a revamped offensive line that has shown steady improvement under line coach Thomas Austin. Adding Randall as a do-it-all backfield threat gives Clemson the ability to run hurry-up tempo, spread the field, and still maintain a power run threat — something that was occasionally lacking last year when the Tigers struggled in short-yardage situations.

Of course, there are still questions to be answered. Can Randall hold up physically over the course of a full season at a position that demands consistent contact? Can he improve his pass protection against elite blitzing defenses? Will he be durable enough to carry the ball 15-20 times a game, or will he be deployed more situationally?

Clemson’s coaching staff appears ready to manage his workload carefully, possibly splitting carries early in the season with Adams Jr. and Morgan while Randall gets more comfortable. But make no mistake: when the Tigers need a big play, expect No. 8 to be involved. Whether it’s a third-down conversion, a red zone package, or a game-breaking screen pass, Randall is being positioned as a centerpiece of the offense.

His emergence at running back also symbolizes something broader happening at Clemson. After a few seasons of criticism over whether the program had become too rigid or resistant to change, Swinney and his staff are showing a newfound adaptability. From embracing the transfer portal (selectively) to experimenting with positional flexibility, Clemson is retooling without abandoning its core values — development, culture, and loyalty.

And in many ways, Randall is the perfect embodiment of that ethos. A homegrown product, developed patiently within the program, who is now stepping up in a time of need and accepting a role that could define not just his season, but his career. He may not have envisioned himself as a running back when he first committed to Clemson, but like many great players, he’s rising to the challenge.

Clemson’s 2025 schedule is loaded with challenges, including road trips to Florida State and NC State, as well as non-conference battles that will test their playoff aspirations. To navigate it, they’ll need consistency, explosiveness, and leadership from their top playmakers. In Adam Randall, they may have found all three — just in a way no one quite expected.

As fall camp approaches and the season opener looms, eyes will be on Randall. Can he complete the transformation? Can he carry the load and help carry Clemson back to the College Football Playoff?

If his offseason is any indication, the answer might be a resounding yes. He’s running into this challenge full speed ahead.