Adam Randall Poised to Start at Running Back for Clemson in 2025 Despite Limited Experience After December Position Switch

Adam Randall’s name is already familiar to Clemson Tigers fans, but in 2025, they’ll be hearing it in an entirely new context. The former wide receiver, known for his athleticism and potential in the receiving corps, is now on the brink of becoming the Tigers’ starting running back—a surprising and dramatic shift for both player and program. Randall made the transition in December 2024, and despite his minimal experience at the position, he now stands at the forefront of Clemson’s offensive plans as fall camp progresses. The decision to make him the likely starter is both a calculated risk and a testament to Randall’s athletic gifts and adaptability.

Randall’s move was not widely publicized when it first occurred. What started as an experimental shift during offseason workouts slowly evolved into something much more serious. Clemson’s coaching staff, faced with depth concerns and a lack of explosiveness from the backfield in 2024, began searching for unconventional solutions. Randall, a former four-star recruit out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, had always possessed the size, speed, and strength to be a dynamic offensive weapon. At 6’2″ and 225 pounds, he’s built more like a hybrid than a traditional slot receiver, and that physical profile caught the eye of running backs coach C.J. Spiller as the Tigers re-evaluated their roster following another season that fell short of championship expectations.

What made the transition intriguing was not just Randall’s body type but his untapped potential with the ball in his hands. Though he had shown flashes as a receiver—especially in yards after the catch—his usage in Clemson’s offense was inconsistent. Some within the program believed Randall had been miscast as a perimeter player, his downhill running style better suited to the backfield. The opportunity presented itself in December, and to Randall’s credit, he didn’t hesitate. He embraced the challenge, aware of the steep learning curve ahead.

Spring practices provided the first glimpses of Randall in his new role. Early reports out of camp described a raw but intriguing runner, someone who didn’t yet possess the refined instincts of a natural back but showed flashes of explosiveness that could transform Clemson’s offense. Teammates noted his willingness to learn and his physical resilience, while coaches stressed that this wasn’t a gimmick or desperation move—it was part of a broader plan to reimagine what the Tigers’ offense could look like in 2025.

The transition hasn’t been without challenges. Running back is a position that demands more than just speed and strength. Vision, footwork, blitz pickup, and ball security are all skills that take years to master. Randall, having played receiver throughout high school and college until this point, has been forced to accelerate his learning process in record time. Clemson’s offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has kept expectations realistic in public, framing Randall’s role as a work in progress, though he’s admitted the coaching staff has been impressed by Randall’s mental grasp of the position and his eagerness to study film and absorb coaching points.

With the 2025 season fast approaching, Randall now finds himself atop the depth chart—an improbable turn of events that reflects both Clemson’s evolving roster dynamics and the coaching staff’s faith in Randall’s growth. Injuries and attrition have contributed to the opportunity. Veteran backs from the 2024 team either declared for the NFL Draft, transferred, or failed to meet offseason conditioning benchmarks, thinning the competition. A pair of incoming freshmen have shown promise, but coaches are hesitant to rely on true freshmen in such a physically demanding role right away. That opened the door for Randall, and he has taken full advantage.

His development as a pass protector has been particularly noteworthy. Though still inconsistent, Randall has shown enough willingness to engage and physicality in protection drills to keep himself on the field on passing downs. His background as a wideout gives him a natural edge in route-running, and Clemson is expected to feature him heavily in screen passes and swing routes to create mismatches against linebackers. The playbook has been adjusted to highlight Randall’s hybrid skillset, blurring the lines between running back and receiver in a way that few college programs are bold enough to attempt.

From a strategic standpoint, Randall’s emergence reflects Clemson’s desire to modernize its offense and reintroduce an element of unpredictability. The 2024 season was marked by inconsistency and a lack of explosive plays. With quarterback Cade Klubnik returning for his senior year, the coaching staff is eager to provide him with versatile weapons who can stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally. Randall fits that mold, even if he doesn’t fit the traditional image of a college tailback.

Still, skepticism remains, and not without reason. Position switches at the college level—especially ones as dramatic as this—are rarely seamless. While there are occasional success stories, they are the exception, not the rule. Randall’s supporters point to players like Deebo Samuel or Percy Harvin, who thrived in hybrid roles, but even they weren’t asked to fully shoulder the duties of a starting running back. There’s also the risk of overburdening Randall too soon, especially given the physical toll the position demands. The ACC schedule offers few easy weeks, and Randall will be tested against some of the conference’s most aggressive front sevens early in the season.

For his part, Randall has taken a humble, team-first approach to the opportunity. In recent interviews, he’s emphasized his respect for the position and acknowledged how much he still has to learn. He credits the coaching staff—and especially C.J. Spiller—for guiding him through the early stages of his transition and helping him build confidence in the little details: foot placement, pad level, defensive alignment recognition. He’s also leaned on veteran linemen and quarterbacks to speed up his understanding of Clemson’s blocking schemes and protection calls. Every rep in practice is a lesson, and Randall has shown a consistent willingness to absorb and adjust.

The Tigers’ fanbase has responded with a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism. While some are wary of placing too much responsibility on a player still learning the fundamentals of his new role, others are excited by the possibilities Randall’s versatility unlocks. Social media buzzed during Clemson’s spring game when Randall broke off a 35-yard run on an inside zone play, showcasing not only his speed but a surprising level of patience and timing. Moments like that suggest the gamble might pay off in unexpected ways.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has remained supportive, even as he tempers expectations. He’s repeatedly emphasized that Randall’s move isn’t a gimmick or a short-term fix. It’s about unlocking the best version of a player the staff has long believed in—and creating an offense that can compete with the nation’s elite once again. After two seasons outside the College Football Playoff picture, Clemson is eager to reassert itself on the national stage, and innovative moves like this might be the jolt the program needs.

As fall practice intensifies and the season opener against Georgia Tech looms, all eyes will be on Randall to see how he handles his new responsibilities. The position is demanding, physically and mentally, and his ability to adjust in real time will be critical. Opponents will test him—on the ground, through the air, and in pass protection. Mistakes will happen. But what excites Clemson’s coaching staff is the belief that Randall’s ceiling is much higher than most realize, and that the risk of this position change is worth the potential reward.

In a college football landscape increasingly defined by versatility and innovation, Randall represents a new breed of athlete—one capable of breaking the mold and redefining positional boundaries. Whether his story ends in triumph or turbulence remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the most compelling developments of the 2025 college football offseason. From receiver to running back, from question mark to possible starter, Adam Randall’s journey is just beginning. And if he succeeds, he won’t just reshape his own career—he might reshape the way Clemson approaches offense for years to come.