Behind veteran convert Adam Randall, Clemson's running back room is a collection of young, explosive, but largely untested talent. For Offensive Coordinator Garrett Riley, that's not a concern—it's a "fun challenge."
"It's a good group, but they're going to have to play," Riley said Tuesday. "It's a great opportunity, a challenge ahead, but I'm excited about the challenge. It's going to be time to see not only that group, but everybody just be under the lights and be under the fire a little bit on Saturday night."
Riley has been impressed with the development of his young backs, including Gideon Davidson and Keith Adams Jr. He noted that Adams Jr. in particular has "definitely taken a huge step" since the spring.
"He's just more mature," Riley said of Adams Jr. "From a sense of knowing what to do and just doing it more consistently... he certainly brings some violence to that position. He's going to play."
So how will Riley manage the rotation? It will be a mix of pre-game strategy and in-game feel.
"It's kind of having a plan from a game plan standpoint, like you almost want to put those guys in positions to do what they do well," he explained. "But yeah, certainly somebody has a hot hand, you go with that."
Against a formidable LSU defense, Clemson's young runners will get their first taste of primetime football, and Riley is eager to see who rises to the occasion.