Tiger Tuesday: CJ Gaddis

Tiger Tuesday features a Clemson athlete from the past that significantly impacted their program.  This week Clemson football is highlighted with former defensive back CJ Gaddis.

C.J. Gaddis – Cornerback, 2004-06

• RTR Ranking: 179
• 113 tackles
• 13.5 for loss
• 13 interceptions
• 4 forced fumbles

Gaddis played high school ball at Hoke County High School in Raeford, North Carolina. He played quarterback for the Bucks, but he made the switch to defensive back at Clemson for head coach Tommy Bowden. He spent time at safety and cornerback for the Tigers. As a sophomore, Gaddis played safety, getting 59 tackles in the 2005 season. At one point that year he had three games in a row with double digit tackles.

He was also a contributor on special teams in his first two seasons. He had five kickoff returns and one punt return between 2004-05.

As a junior, Gaddis played mostly cornerback. He had 33 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss, a very impressive mark for a defensive back. His standout game of the season came against the eventual ACC champions, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Gaddis had four tackles for a loss and an interception, helping lead Clemson to a 27-17 victory.

C.J. Gaddis came to Clemson as a quarterback, switched to the defensive backfield with Clemson football and became a star

Gaddis had two very notable achievements during his college career. He became the first non-starter in Clemson history to have an interception in three straight games during his sophomore season. As a junior, he also was the only corner to hold Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson to zero catches during Johnson’s college career.

You can see one of Gaddis’s interceptions at the 0:34 mark in this video of the 2006 rivalry game against South Carolina.

Gaddis left early for the NFL and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL Draft, but his pro career unfortunately never materialized. If he had stayed for his senior season, he likely could have competed for national honors. Considering he played three seasons and only had 16 total starts, his statistics are impressive.