Four Clemson football players we wish would’ve had an extra year of eligibility
Clemson football players- and athletes, in general- across the country received some promising news when it was voted and passed by the NCAA Board of Governors that student-athletes would now have the 2020-21 season as a free year of eligibility.
Basically, for those who haven’t heard, this means that Clemson football players can play this season and won’t lose any of their eligibility. They’ll enter the 2021 season with the same amount of years of eligibility as they have coming into this season, whether they play a full season or no season at all.
While this is great news for many student-athletes across the country who will now have the opportunity to play this year at no cost to them, we may not see many Clemson football players take advantage of the rule simply because of the overall talent that is coming into the program.
That being said, looking back at the history of the Clemson football program under Dabo Swinney, here are four Tigers we wish had the opportunity to have another year of eligibility.
4. James Davis
One half of Clemson’s ‘Thunder and Lightning’ RB duo, James Davis was an explosive running back who absolutely was underrated during his time with the Tigers.
Davis was a bruiser-back who could rumble ahead for tough yardage and break off some explosive plays when needed.
Can you imagine if we had been able to see one more year of Davis-Spiller in the Clemson football program? That 2009 offense- following Davis’ departure- only moved the ball on the shoulder of C.J. Spiller.
Had he still been on the team, the Tigers would’ve had their explosive duo of backs- which would’ve kept Spiller even fresher- and who knows? The ACC Championship could’ve ended up in the Tigers’ hands before it was all said and done.
3. Ben Boulware
Ben Boulware got to leave his Clemson football career exactly how he wanted to: Being named the Defensive MVP as the Tigers brought home their first National Championship in more than 30 years.
So, maybe it’s just best to let the storybook ending be the defining moment. But can you imagine bringing Boulware back for the 2017 season where the Tigers so heavily relied upon defense?
Adding him to that group would’ve only strengthened that Clemson team and, while it may not have made a difference in the end, the joy of watching him play another season at linebacker would’ve certainly been something to marvel.
2. Hunter Renfrow
I know what you’re thinking and there’s a ton of jokes we’ll just let go unsaid.
Hunter Renfrow won two National Championships with the Tigers, went out a champion, and served as a safety blanket WR for three different quarterbacks- Deshaun Watson, Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence.
That being said, you can never get enough of Hunter Renfrow. Bringing him on this 2019 Clemson football team would’ve given the Tigers more answers over the middle of the field- where he was deeply missed- and who knows what the outcome might’ve been.
1. Tajh Boyd
Tajh Boyd started three seasons at quarterback for Clemson an there’s no doubt that he left a lasting impact on the Tiger program.
If Boyd had been able to come back for another year, though, he may have very well set career passing records that would never again be touched in Clemson football history.
In addition, Boyd would’ve been around for another season- that 2014 season when Deshaun Watson was a freshman- and would’ve had an opportunity to officially turn over the reins and potentially go out with a win over in-state rival South Carolina, one feat he was never able to accomplish.
Rubbing the Rock is a Clemson-centered website that provides complete coverage & analysis of everything orange and white as part of the FanSided network.