Why Dabo Swinney is confident in Clemson football’s running backs despite losing Phil Mafah
CLEMSON — Clemson football is searching for a new No. 1 running back, but no clear winner emerged after Saturday’s spring game.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney sees this as a good problem.
“I know everybody’s going to just question us all year, and I don’t blame you,” Swinney said Saturday. “They got to go prove it. We can’t just talk about it. We got to go do it, but from practice (and) meetings, we’re really encouraged from what we’ve seen.”
Running backs Adam Randall, Keith Adams Jr., David Eziomume and Gideon Davidson all had positive moments Saturday to enhance their case to fill the void left by last year starter’s, Phil Mafah. Jay Haynes (torn ACL) and Jarvis Green (midfoot sprain) did not participate in the spring game because of injuries. Eziomume led all running backs with 11 attempts for 69 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown. He showcased his hard-nosed running style, fighting for extra yards to extend drives. Swinney, who was mic’d up, pointed out Eziomume’s ball security, though, telling him, “Don’t swim with the ball. Hold that tight.”
Randall, who transitioned from wide receiver to running back this offseason, started with the first-team offense to record one rushing attempt for one yard. Still, he recorded a 23-yard catch on a screen pass in the final two minutes of the first half to help set up a field-goal attempt. He is the veteran of the group even though he has the least experience at the position.
“I thought Eziomume had a really good day,” Swinney said. “He’s stacking days. He’s had a couple really good days. Adam Randall has been awesome all spring. He’s been really good, so I’m really pleased with him.”Adams, nicknamed “Hammerhead,” rushed seven times for 47 yards. He was listed as an “or” starter with Haynes throughout last season, but Haynes received more playing time. Adams has said one of his goals for 2025 is to be featured more, and Swinney said Saturday he will have a role if he “buys in” to what Clemson wants him to do.
Davidson, a 2025 signee, rushed for 31 yards on nine carries and caught four passes for 43 yards. He made two tough grabs with the third-team offense. Freshman quarterback Chris Denson found him for 31 yards on a wheel route, then Davidson made a diving back-shoulder catch for nine yards later in the possession.
Swinney has touted Davidson as a “natural” through spring practices, and he displayed what’s in his repertoire Saturday. Peyton Streko, who walked on in 2023 over scholarship offers from several FBS programs, scored a rushing touchdown too.
