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In Clemson’s 46-45 loss to Duke on Saturday, freshman Gideon Davidson received his first extended workload of the season and made the most of it. The former No. 3 running back in the 2025 recruiting class rushed for 51 yards on 12 carries and added four receptions for 44 yards, providing a spark alongside senior running back Adam Randall.
“I would say I was a little bit nervous at the beginning, but I eventually got in the groove of things,” Davidson said Tuesday. “I was really excited to get out there [to] show what I could do, kind of just went with the flow, stuck to my natural ability and what the coaches, have taught me. It was a very exciting moment.”
Davidson began the season behind redshirt sophomore David Eziomume on the depth chart, but over the past few weeks, the game has started to slow down for him.
“I will be honest. It starts to slow down for me the more I get into it,” Davidson said. “This past weekend, it slowed down a significant amount. I could see a little bit of difference, probably the Boston College and UNC game -- the more reps I got. So, I just say, the more opportunities I got to play in the game, it's really slowed down for me.”
His emergence comes behind Randall, a former receiver who transitioned to running back before last year’s College Football Playoff matchup with Texas. Randall leads the backs in carries (101), yards (522), touchdowns (6), and yards per carry (5.2).
Clemson has four games remaining and is fighting to become bowl-eligible after entering the season with playoff expectations. Davidson says he’s encouraged by where he’s trending but knows there’s room to improve.
“I would say, probably making guys miss in the open field. I feel like I could have done a lot better at that in the Duke game,” he said. “I just feel like there's a lot to improve on. I could improve on pass blocking more, running downhill more. If I had to focus on one, it would probably be making guys miss in the open field.”
A Season of Struggle and Perspective
For a first-year player, the losing has been tough for Davidson — Clemson sits at 3–5 (2–4 ACC) — and emotions have run high. He has seen teammates teary-eyed in the locker room, and after the Duke loss, senior quarterback Cade Klubnik was visibly shaken in his post-game interview.
Davidson understands the disappointment, but he carries a perspective that few athletes his age can truly claim.
The Bolgatanga, Ghana native's father passed away before he was born. His mother struggled to care for six children. He spent time in an orphanage in Accra, Ghana. He was adopted twice in America -- all before the age of six.
“This losing season has not been the hardest part of my life,” Davidson said. “As probably some of y'all know, I've been adopted twice. My village back in Africa was ruined by a flood. My parents couldn't really raise me and my two other brothers that were adopted with me.”
Gideon and his brothers, Josh and Colby, joined their adoptive parents, Brian and Christine Davidson, on Nov. 11, 2011, in Charlotte, NC. The family later moved to Lynchburg, Va., where Gideon starred at Liberty Christian Academy and earned 2024 Gatorade State Player of the Year honors while leading the school to back-to-back state titles.
“So, I definitely say, I've been through more difficult times," he added.
Brian, a sports minister and soccer coach, also helped anchor the family in faith, a foundation Gideon leans on.
"God's been with me throughout my entire journey of life. He's brought me to this moment, and it's been a really exciting journey," Davidson said. "I really couldn't do it without God, and I'm very grateful for him and what he's done in my life."
Clemson returns home Saturday to face Florida State (4–4, 1–4), trying to halt a three-game home losing streak and keep bowl eligibility realistic.
It has not been the season fans expected.
But in a year where disappointment has overshadowed promise, Davidson’s emergence may be a reminder — the future is still being built.
And Clemson’s backfield should be in good hands.
