One of the bigger question marks surrounding Clemson heading into the spring centered on the running back position.

With Phil Mafah having moved on and Jay Haynes having torn an ACL last December, the Tigers had very little production repping at the position this spring.

Last December, Dabo Swinney moved receiver Adam Randall to running back for Clemson’s first-round CFP matchup against Texas and the former wideout has impressed all spring. David Eziomume, who redshirted last season, and true freshman Gideon Davidson, one of the top backs in the 2025 recruiting class, also got significant reps.

Playing behind a makeshift offensive line in the annual Orange & White Spring Game on Saturday, due to several starters still recovering from injuries, the Tigers’ running game didn’t exactly light the world on fire during the scrimmage, but Swinney has been extremely pleased by what he’s seen throughout the spring.

“From practice to meetings, we are really encouraged from what we have seen,” the head coach said after the spring game.

At the same time, Swinney is fully aware of some of the questions surrounding the position coming from those on the outside looking in, and the head coach readily admits they are justified.

“I know everybody is going to question us all year, and I don’t blame you; they got to go do it,” Swinney said. “They got to all go prove it. We can’t just talk about it, we got to go do it.”

Davidson showed flashes on Saturday, particularly with his abilities as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. The freshman reeled in four catches, including a 31-yarder. Eziomume showed marked improvement from last season, leading the backs with 11 carries for 69 yards, including an explosive 30-yard touchdown run. However, on one run, Swinney was heard on his open mic preaching ball security, telling Eziomume, “Don’t swim with the ball. Hold that tight.”

“Gideon was great, catching the ball out of the backfield,” Swinney said. “He’s got it all.”

“I thought Eziomume had a really good day, he’s stacking days. He’s had a couple of really good days,” Swinney said. “Adam Randall has been awesome this spring. He’s been really good. I am really pleased with him. And then Gideon has been great.”

Swinney also bragged on the spring redshirt sophomore Jarvis Green was having before a foot injury sidelined him after the Tigers returned from spring break.

“And then obviously, Jay Haynes. He was our most improved player last year,” Swinney added. “Jarvis was having a really good spring and then got a midfoot sprain and he was out. But it’s a good group. It’s a really good group.”

At the end of the day, Swinney believes Clemson has a stable of backs that can be really good in 2025. While the group might be short on experience, he’s confident that the Tigers’ running game will be plenty good enough once the season kicks off.

“It’s a deep group, and I think when it’s all said and done, it will be a very productive group for us.”