CLEMSON — There was no way to predict the situation Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz would be in a month ago. From preparing to move to New York for a job to returning as the Tigers’ kicker, it’s been a rollercoaster for Weitz.

This ride hit its first big drop with his debut coming against the top-five Florida State Seminoles. Weitz was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals and extra points until the fourth quarter, when he missed the go-ahead kick by no more than a foot.

While it was a heartbreaking moment, the team still believes in him. Punter Aidan Swanson has seen the work Weitz put in first hand, and he emphasized the belief in him Tuesday.

“One thing I’ll say about Jon is he’s very mature and he’s in a position where he knows how to respond from this and from my group, we’ve just lifted him up, given him all the support we can do tell him it’s in the past. Now it’s all about what you do from it and now you respond,” Swanson said.

Responding is the story of this 2023 team now, and Weitz is the embodiment of it. Following the game, he wasn’t phased to go and speak to the media and maintained his mental, which isn’t easy to do after a moment like that.

Short memories are important, and it’s something that Weitz has when necessary.

“That’s something as a specialist, you have to have. It’s always a next kick mentality. You can’t dwell on the fact that you had a bad one or a good one. It’s all about choosing to respond positively,” Swanson said.

Weitz put a lot on the line to return to Clemson, and how he responds will be the story, not letting one moment in his return define him.