As the Clemson Tigers enter the 2025 season without longtime starters Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, running backs coach C.J. Spiller is embracing the opportunity.
“[Heading into the summer], I really wanted this group to really focus in on that brotherhood and cohesion,” Spiller said during media availability Tuesday. “We’re going to need everybody. I know that’s probably just some words that people say, but I truly believe that. Especially at the running back position, because you just never know when it’s going to be your time.”
Running back Coach C. J. Spiller
Spiller elaborated that there hasn’t been a specific back that’s separated from the others. True freshman Gideon Davidson has gotten much of the attention from outside media, but the internal competition has been fierce. With returners Jay Haynes, David Eziomume, and converted wide receiver Adam Randall, Clemson’s backfield is potent.
“They all have done a great job, honestly,” Spiller said when asked about the group. “I wouldn’t say they’re just out there running like Secretariat right now. I think it’s a good horse race right now…We’re going to get ready to shoot that gun, and we’ll see what happens. I’m excited about them.”
Spiller, a Clemson legend in his own right, knows talent when he sees it. He’s entering his fifth season coaching running backs at his alam mater, where he compiled 3,547 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground. After a fantastic career that earned him both national and in-house recognition (his No. 28 jersey was retired in 2010). He spent seven seasons in the NFL with four different franchises before returning to Clemson in 2020, where he began to lead the running backs the following season.
It’s a familiar role to those early years for Spiller, when the Tigers had no clear “next man up” after star Travis Etienne graduated. But Spiller has confidence in each player.
“Honestly, this year reminds me so much of ‘21,” he said. “I got here in ‘20, and it was Travis Etienne for all those years. Then when I took over in ‘21, it was like, okay, who was going to be that guy? The only experienced guy you had coming back was LJ Dixon. After that, you have [Will] Shipley for three years and then [Phil] Mafah. This year is very similar to ‘21 where it’s like, okay, who’s going to be that guy?”
Many have compared the aforementioned Davidson to Etienne, down to the pair both wearing No. 9, but Spiller has been impressed with how the freshman from Lynchburg, Virginia has conducted himself.
“He doesn’t get caught up into all that stuff, you know what I mean,” Spiller said. “That kid, he just puts his head down and goes to work.”
With a deep group of intriguing pieces and a coach that walks the way, Clemson’s running back room has a clear identity. With that identity, they’re poised for a prove-it 2025 season.
