On a crisp Saturday night at Alumni Stadium, the scoreboard told a simple story: Clemson 41, Boston College 10. But for those watching closely, the lopsided affair served as a proving ground, a stage where individual players made emphatic statements for more playing time. Beyond the final score, a handful of Tigers seized their opportunity, turning a predictable outcome into a showcase of future potential.
Here are three players who left the field having earned a bigger role for the Tigers going forward:
Keith Adams Jr., RB, Clemson
While the outcome was long decided, the Tigers' final offensive drive of the night became must-see action, and it was all thanks to backup running back Keith Adams Jr. Entering the game late in the fourth quarter, Adams ran with a ferocity that seemed to scream for more opportunity. On that single drive, he carried the ball seven times, chewing up 49 yards and capping it with a 1-yard touchdown plunge. His 7.0 yards-per-carry average was a jolt of energy for the offense. While starter Adam Randall found the endzone, his 3.6 yards-per-carry left the door open for a spark, and Adams provided a bonfire.
Jahiem Lawson, DE, Clemson
Boston College quarterbacks will be seeing number 15 in their nightmares. The Clemson defensive end was a disruptive force all game, living in the Eagles' backfield and creating chaos. Lawson finished the night with four tackles, but his biggest impact came from his two sacks, which resulted in a loss of 16 yards for the BC offense. In a game where the Tigers' defense dominated, Lawson's ability to generate pressure was a key component. Performances like that don't just win games; they earn you a permanent spot in the defensive rotation.
Brayden Jacobs, OL, Clemson
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for the future of the Tigers' offense came in the trenches. When a teammate didn't feel 100 percent, true freshman lineman Brayden Jacobs was called upon, and he answered in a massive way. According to Head Coach Dabo Swinney, the "giant" freshman "played great", noting that after some early-season adjustments, the game slowed down for him Saturday night. Swinney praised Jacobs for playing with "a ton of confidence," excelling at the point of attack and in his protection assignments. "He stepped up in a big way," Swinney said. For a young player, earning that level of trust and praise from the head coach is a clear signal that his role is set to expand.