CLEMSON — It did not take Antonio Williams long to see why Clemson signed Gideon Davidson.
The Tigers’ veteran receiver says the running back is one of several freshmen that has left an impression with him.
“His burst and his cuts. He is very confident and natural as a ballcarrier, as most running back are,” William said. “But he was signed here for a reason. He was a highly touted guy around the country. I can see why.”
Williams is just one of many players and coaches that have been impressed with the new Clemson running back this spring. Earlier this week, Davidson was getting reps with the second-team offense.
“The guy’s just natural,” Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley said. “I mean, he’s a natural – natural balance, a cutter. He can be a violent runner. I think he’s got natural hands and can do things where you’re spreading him out or things in the passing game. I just think he’s a very natural kid.”
Davidson signed with Clemson this past December and enrolled early in January. He was a unanimous four-star prospect regarded as one of the top running backs in the nation for the 2025 recruiting class.
A product of Liberty Christian Academy in Virginia, Davidson helped his team to an undefeated season and a second straight state championship in 2024. Davidson was credited with 2,054 rushing yards on 223 attempts (9.2-yard average) with 34 rushing touchdowns.
Davidson was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Virginia, as well as MaxPreps Virginia High School Football Player of the Year.
“Just seeing him on the field, he just strikes me as a person that’s not really fazed by a whole lot,” Riley said. “I think he’s confident in himself, and just his demeanor is certainly a strength of his.”
As Williams pointed out, Davidson is not the only freshman making a name for himself this spring.
“Brayden Jacobs. I don’t really know too much about the O-Line or anything like that, but his frame and his size, obviously, that is a big thing,” Williams said. “I like Gideon, he has shown some flashes.
“As freshman there will be times you are out there and you might hit a wall, but every now and then…those guys are talented, and they are here for a reason. I just like to see them flash.”
Williams also mentioned former Belton-Honea Path star Marquise Henderson as another standout freshman this spring. Henderson is listed as an athlete on Clemson’s roster.