Clemson 2025 commitment wins Player of the Year Award
Gideon Davidson has been named the National Junior Player of the Year by MaxPreps.
Gideon Davidson of Liberty Christian named 2023 MaxPreps National Junior of the Year.🔥
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) December 20, 2023
Four-star running back rushed for 2,700-plus yards while accounting for 46 total touchdowns for Class 3 Virginia state champs. 🏈
FULL STORY ⬇️https://t.co/dyGMI3s58C pic.twitter.com/sayCgYFwLc
Davidson is verbally committed to Clemson Football. He is a 4-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite, currently ranked 75th in the nation. He plays at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Davidson is currently the highest-rated prospect in Clemson’s Class of 2025. His teammate, offensive lineman Easton Ware, is also part of the Tigers’ 2025 Class.
Clemson Football isn’t planning to use the transfer portal right now
Dabo Swinney met with the press following the opening of the Early Signing Period, which as usual was wrapped up early for the Tigers.
A common question during the presser was if Clemson Football was planning to add any more players, either high school prospects or via the transfer portal.
Swinney’s response was consistent. For now, the Tigers aren’t looking to add any more players at any position.
Asked Dabo if Clemson will add at DE either via portal or HS: "DE is a position we looked at portal, but with guys we have in-house, we aren't looking for a portal guy. Peter Woods can play anywhere. Is there a guy that can play better than that? We didn’t feel that."
— Anna Adams (@AnnaH247) December 20, 2023
The Tigers are currently at 86 scholarships based on what we know right now.
2024 Clemson Football Roster as of 12/20 1pm
— Morgan Thomas (@TheMorganTShow) December 20, 2023
Added in the commitments from today.
Removed John Williams due to medical.
I have the Tigers at 86 currently. pic.twitter.com/W0yVOfB6xK
There will likely be players leaving the team between now and the start of fall camp in 2024, which is when they need to be at 85 scholarship players or less.
The departures never seem quite as high as we might expect, however. There hasn’t been a rush to enter the portal following spring practice. Usually, a player enters here or there at random times.
Swinney did confirm they made four portal offers this offseason so far.
Dabo Swinney said they've made 4 portal offers since the new period opened in December. #Clemson
— Cory Fravel (@CFravel247) December 20, 2023
Swinney pointed at a handful of reasons why what Clemson was looking for in a portal lineman and what portal linemen were looking for in a school didn’t match up.
Dabo Swinney confirms Clemson is at its number at offensive line and is no longer pursuing transfer portal targets.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 20, 2023
"A lot of these guys are in the portal for a reason, they want to be the guy. I can’t guarantee anybody’s gonna be the guy. You get an opportunity to be the guy."
Swinney cited most transfers desire for playing time as a motivationg factor, which Clemson wasn't willing to guarantee. He also pointed out that the Tigers were looking for players with 2-3 years of eligibility remaining, which wasn't abundantly available.