CHARLOTTE – Adam Randall’s Clemson career has not gone as smoothly as some envisioned.

The former 4-star recruit, out of Myrtle Beach, struggled with multiple injuries over his first two seasons with the Tigers, including a torn ACL during his first spring practice.

While he made it back to the field during his freshman campaign, he was never fully healthy. As a sophomore, multiple injuries continued to stall his collegiate career.

Entering the 2024 season, Randall was finally fully healthy. The hope was the junior would experience a breakout campaign. However, with the emergence of freshmen Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore, Randall has seen his snaps decrease dramatically.

Despite averaging a little more than 10 snaps per contest over the past four games, Randall has stayed ready. He was intent on being prepared whenever his number was called. In Saturday night’s thrilling win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game, his time came.

With Phil Mafah playing through a shoulder injury and Jay Haynes leaving late in the contest with an injury, Randall was called upon to serve as the Tigers’ kick returner.

After the Mustangs had tied the game at 31-31 with just 16 seconds left, it appeared the game would be heading to overtime. However, Randall had other ideas.

The junior wideout fielded the ensuing kickoff at the Clemson 4-yard line and weaved his way 41-yards through traffic to the Tigers’ 45, setting up what was one wild, crazy finish. It was the longest kickoff return of the season so far.

“My journey has not been smooth at all,” Randall said. “Just being able to have a moment like that, it’s been special. It is a special moment.”

After that return, Cade Klubnik hooked up with Antonio Williams for 17-yards, giving Nolan Hauser a chance to win it with a 56-yarder.

“Coach Swinney gave me the opportunity to return it. Sure enough, he could have told me to fair catch it. But I got the opportunity and the other guys on the front line on kickoff return helped me out and we made the most out of it.”

It’s a moment Randall has been preparing for in practice.

“I just had to make the most of it,” Randall said. “I do it in practice all the time, just for fun and you take what you do in practice into the game.”

After Hauser’s kick sailed through the uprights, and with a few yards to spare, Randall knew all of his hard work had paid off. While it might not have a touchdown catch to win it, his long return was every bit as important.

“It was just amazing,” Randall said. “It’s what we’ve been working for. It is what we’ve been trying to get to since January and we are back on top of the ACC and trying to get back on top of the nation.”

The win sends Clemson back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020. The Tigers just wanted an opportunity and now that have it.

“It’s an opportunity. If you are in it you can win it,” Randall said. “Got to play better and make corrections, but we have an opportunity. We are just going to see who we get and make the most out of it.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!