The running back room at Clemson is going to look a lot different in 2025. Gone is Phil Mafah who was really the only back who produced anything of note, going for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, and returning is a group of unproven rushers, led by a converted receiver.
Dabo Swinney converted Adam Randall to running back after spending his first three years at Clemson as a receiver, and the 6-foot-2, 225-pound athlete is expected to start.
While there's likely to be a running back battle during fall camp to decide the starter, Randall is the current favorite along with freshman star Gideon Davidson.
Dabo gassed up his converted running back even more this week at Clemson media day, saying that he believes Randall is going to be one of the best stories in college football this season. To me, that sounds like he's already expecting the senior to be the starter and have a big season.
Swinney predicts Adam Randall will be one of the best college football stories this season.
— Derrian Carter (@DerrianCarter00) July 15, 2025
Randall transitioned from WR to RB, and Swinney is confident he will be a factor in the backfield.
Hearing Swinney gush about Randall should get fans more excited about the running back room which may be inexperienced and unproven, but it has plenty of talent.
Randall has been called a freak athlete with great speed for his frame, and that should help him pick up some extra yards on each carry this season. When he's not running through defenders, he'll use his quickness to run around them.
I tend to agree with Swinney, I think Randall is going to be one of the best stories in college football this season, especially if he pushes for 1,000 yards.
We could see a rapid rise of Randall from reserve wideout to starting running back to NFL prospect in the span of one year.