ESPN predicts Clemson football's breakout player for 2025 season
Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers are ranked No. 7 in ESPN way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2025 college football season.
The Tigers are ESPN's bet to win the ACC championship for the second straight season, something no team has done since Clemson won six straight conference titles from 2015-20.
Earlier this week, ESPN's staff of college football writers named their choice for every team's top breakout player in 2025. Incoming freshman running back Gideon Davidson was ESPN's choice for Clemson.
Per David Hale:
"Unlike last season, when Clemson was all-too tethered to Phil Mafah, it's a crowded backfield for the Tigers in 2025. Still, that doesn't mean a lead back won't emerge from a group that includes last year's second-leading rusher Jay Haynes, David Eziomume, Keith Adams Jr. and converted receiver Adam Randall. But if there's a true superstar to emerge, set those sights (on) Davidson, a true freshman described by coach Dabo Swinney as "the best freshman back in the country." Davidson was ranked as a top-100 prospect across the board, and he averaged better than 9 yards per carry in high school. He's explosive and powerful, and if he hits the ground running at Clemson, he could carve out a sizable role on an offense poised to be among the most talented in the country." -- David Hale"
RELATED: Dabo Swinney continues to be impressed with freshman running back Gideon Davidson
Davidson, a 4-star recruit out of Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, Va.) committed to Clemson all the way back in the summer of 2023 before his junior season of high school. He was the 2023 MaxPreps National Junior Player of the Year. ESPN ranks Davidson as the top player from the state of Virginia in the 2025 recruiting class and the third-best running back in the nation. On3 named him the second-best running back in the nation.
What Dabo Swinney thinks of Gideon Davidson
Swinney has been particularly high on Davidson in spring practice this year, calling him the best running back in the class of 2025 earlier this month.
“He’s physically impressive. Just further along than I thought he would be coming in,” Swinney said. “He doesn’t look like a high school kid. He looks like a kid that’s been in college about three years. He’s really thick, strong. Explosive. He’s north of 200. He looks great physically, and he’s just what you thought he’d be.
“Really smooth athlete and a lot of confidence. Fast,” Swinney added. “He’s done a nice job picking things up well. I’m proud of him. He's got a chance to be special.”
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson football true freshman is ESPN's bet for 2025 breakout player
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