Adam Randall woke up Tuesday to news that placed him in exclusive Clemson company. The sophomore running back was named to the AFCA Good Works Team, making him just the 10th Tiger in program history to receive the community service honor.
“I was excited, blessed, appreciate them nominating me and selecting me,” Randall said. “It means a big deal, especially to me and my family. That’s something I’ve been conscious of since I’ve been in college—making sure I make an impact on my community.”
The recognition comes in part thanks to the Randall Foundation, started by his family before he arrived at Clemson. Randall said he’s proud to carry it forward. “I kind of just picked it up and ran with it. It’s just grown as I’ve gotten more notoriety throughout my career.”
Growing in the Backfield
While the accolades off the field are piling up, Randall insists he’s just beginning to find his rhythm as a Tiger running back.
“I’m definitely getting more comfortable,” he said. “More experience, more reps definitely helps. Georgia Tech was a better game for me. Against Troy, I was moving too fast in the backfield. This time, I was more patient.”
Patience, he admitted, is the hardest adjustment. “It’s different running gap-scheme concepts. You’ve got power, you’ve got people pulling—you’ve got to give those guys a chance to make their blocks.”
Third-and-22? No Problem
One play in particular stood out from the Georgia Tech game: a third-and-22 conversion that showcased Randall’s burst.
“Usually, it’s not conventional to have third and 22 downs,” he said with a grin. “But I just went through my process, pressed the block, and then picked up daylight. It was really well-blocked. I just had to make one guy miss.”
Randall downplayed the highlight, saying it was simply “doing my job.” But coaches, including Dabo Swinney, called him one of the team’s bright spots this season.
Tradition and Leadership
Randall also weighed in on Clemson’s updated “Gathering at the Paw” tradition, which now features a short team moment before fans take the field.
“I do like waiting,” he said. “It gives us a chance as a team to have a moment together, and then when the fans come out, it’s still fun. In the past, I was giving away my helmet before the game was even over because people wanted it.”
As a leader, Randall said the team’s older players remain steady through adversity. “The leadership on this team is exceptional. We’re a band of brothers. Guys look to us when things go wrong, and the way we carry ourselves shows how we’ve been taught.”
Belief in the Offense
Despite Clemson’s rocky start, Randall’s confidence in the offense hasn’t wavered.
“Our confidence is through the roof,” he said. “We just need to execute on Saturdays. Once that starts happening, we’ll gel. The country knows how explosive we can be.”
For Randall, being called a “bright spot” is nice, but it doesn’t change his mission. “That has nothing to do with the team’s success,” he said. “The team’s success is the biggest thing we’re trying to work on right now. Our eyes are set on Saturday—trying to go dominate an opponent at home.”