Devy Digest: Freshman Spotlight - RB Gideon Davidson

Welcome to Freshman Friday, where Andy Pham highlights upcoming freshmen who could make waves in the upcoming season.

Clemson Tigers

Position: Running Back
Gideon Davidson
5’11”, 185 lbs
Draft Eligible: 2028

Who is Gideon Davidson?

Davidson was a four-star recruit in the composites who attended Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was a two-sport athlete, also competing in track and field. Davidson has a verified 10.69-second time in the 100-meter dash and competed in the long jump and shot put, both skills transferable to the gridiron.

He was a sensation as a freshman, compiling over 7,400 rushing yards, averaging 10.53 yards per carry, and scoring 118 touchdowns. Davidson also added 43 receptions for 606 yards and eight additional touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 2,716 yards with 43 touchdowns and was named MaxPreps Player of the Year.

Davidson held 19 offers, but his relationship with C.J. Spiller at Clemson sealed his commitment. He is an early enrollee and is currently on campus. Clemson has given him jersey number nine, which is noteworthy for that program—most recently worn by Travis Etienne and Jake Briningstool.

Davidson is a patient runner with excellent vision. He presses the line, rides the wave, anticipates a gap, and then explodes through the first level. He showcases light feet and good contact balance. Davidson was also a two-way player, seeing time as a safety. His physicality is solid but can improve. He has the frame to easily add 15 lbs, and with Clemson’s weight program, he should be in better shape for the physicality of play ahead.

His speed is his calling card—he is a threat to break a run and take it to the house. He was used as a receiver, lining up out wide and running true routes. He wasn’t just a benefactor of screens or dump-offs; Clemson threw the ball downfield to him, where he showcased soft hands and didn’t fight the ball. Those two traits will help him see the field early.

Pathway to Success

There is nothing in Clemson’s running back room, and they aren’t a program that will go portal hunting in the spring. Jay Haynes was injured toward the end of the season, and with a significant injury, he should miss most, if not all, of spring and fall camp.

The team used Adam Randall as their running back to end the season over freshman David Eziomume. Randall is not expected to switch positions. The use of Randall at running back over Eziomume is an indictment of the latter’s readiness. With a wide-open room, I anticipate Davidson will get playing time early.

Clemson returns a veteran group at wide receiver and quarterback Cade Klubnik. They can use Davidson similarly to how Georgia used Nate Frazier—both are very similar players. I expect Clemson to rotate backs early on, with Davidson showcasing his talent and proving himself too valuable to be kept off the field.

Improvements/Concerns

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