Clemson Football: Top 30 Tigers to play under Dabo Swinney

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts after the Clemson Tigers beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 31-0 to win the 2016 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 31, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Clemson running back James Davis rushes for a gain in the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl December 27 in Orlando. Davis was the game MVP as Clemson defeated Colorado 19-10. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

6. James Davis

How many of you remember James Davis playing under Dabo Swinney?

Davis didn’t actually ever play under Swinney as the permanent head coach, but did play when he was named the interim in 2008.

Although his time with Clemson under Dabo Swinney was short, what James Davis did for the Clemson football program will never be forgotten.

Davis was the first big-time recruit to choose Clemson in quite some time back in the mid-2000s. Because of his decision, C.J. Spiller later came along, which led later to guys like Deshaun Watson.

He came when there wasn’t any reason to come to Clemson. His vision for Clemson fell in line completely with what Dabo had in mind, and even though he never got to play in the new program, he was one of the first building blocks for it.

On the field, Davis was known as “thunder.” He finished with 3,881 yards rushing and 49 total touchdowns.

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