Welcome to Rubbing The Rock’s weekly round table discussion, where each of the members of Rubbing The Rock’s staff debate on a specific topic. This weeks topic is each staff members favorite Clemson athlete all-time.
Must Read: RTR Round Table Discussion: Martavis Bryant
Cole Little-
My favorite Clemson athlete of all time is running back C.J. Spiller, who is also arguably one of the most important Clemson football players of all time. Few players have had an impact on their program quite like Spiller did, from his electrifying play on the field to his vivacious personality and uncanny leadership ability off of the field.
Helping set the stage for Clemson to become a national power again for the first time in two decades, Spiller, who played for the Tigers from 2006 to 2009, paved the way for Dabo Swinney to become the top-tier head coach that he is widely recognized as today when he took over in 2008. Spiller was as versatile as any college football player of his generation, changing the entire makeup of games in the rushing, receiving and returning departments. Watching him take over games the way that he did, such as his four-touchdown effort versus Georgia Tech as a senior, was inspiring, and despite all of the spectacular playmakers to suit up for Clemson since then, none have quite had the wow factor that came to define Spiller over the course of his Clemson career.
Tyreese Ingram-
Clemson Tigers Football
Favorite Clemson athlete of all-time? I could definitely name so many athletes and narrowing it down was hard to do.
Tajh Boyd was one of the names that Ben Boulware mentioned in his passionate and inspirational speech after winning the National Championship. It’s so easy to understand why Boyd’s name came to mind in that moment. Besides being one of the best quarterbacks in ACC history, he has become one of most beloved players to ever wear any uniform in the state of South Carolina sports history. Today, he is present in the Clemson community and some Gamecocks’ fans have glowing things to say about his demeanor and class.
Two games stand out to me in coach Dabo Swinney’s tenure circa National Championship appearances, and they are the 2012 Chick-fil-a Bowl victory over LSU and the 40-35 Orange Bowl win over Ohio State. Boyd was instrumental in both victories. Who can forget the physical pounding that he withstood in the 25-24 thriller, but he was still able to drop the 4th and 16 pass perfectly to Nuk Hopkins. He was named MVP. Against the Buckeyes, he began the game with a 48 yard run and later hit Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant for touchdown passes before sealing the game with the 5 yard pass to Stanton Steckinger. Boyd finished the game 21 of 40 with 378 passing and 127 rushing yards. He was responsible for 6 TDS(5 passing, 1 rushing).
Tajh Boyd was a fan favorite on the field and is still a fan favorite off the field.
Anthony Messenger-
I’m going to say Sammy Watkins was my favorite Clemson athlete all-time because of his instant success. It’s one thing to make a contribution during your freshman year, but, Sammy was arguably the best wide out in the country as a freshman.
Watkins wasn’t a one hit wonder either, he able to maintain that level of success throughout his three years at Clemson. There wasn’t a defensive that was able to stop him, from FSU to Auburn to Georgia, Watkins gave everybody and their mother fits on the field.
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