CLEMSON — How productive can Clemson’s running game be this season?

That is one of the biggest questions that has surrounded this team since before the start of spring practice. The Tigers have national title aspirations, and if they are going to compete for one, their ground game must be better than it was over the second half of last season.

With former wideout Adam Randall sitting atop the depth chart this deep into camp, and tons of youth and inexperience behind him, the questions about the rushing attack are fair.

However, inside the football facility, there is growing confidence. The people inside that building believe in Randall, and some of the younger backs on the roster, which includes redshirt freshman David Eziomume and true freshman Gideon Davidson, both former four-star recruits.

At the forefront of that confidence is Dabo Swinney. The head coach has remained steadfast in not only his belief in Randall but also in the depth.

After Clemson held its first scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday, Swinney was once again bullish on his running back room.

“That was one thing I wrote down was ‘plus-running backs,'” Swinney said. “I think the running backs were very productive today. I know nobody thinks we got good players there, but I like our running backs. I think we got a good group. And I think they can all help us.”

Randall seems destined to be the starter when the season kicks off on August 30 against LSU, but there is also no doubt that Eziomume and Davidson are going to have opportunities at some point. Both shined in the scrimmage on Saturday, with each getting shots at running with the second team.

“Both of those guys were outstanding today,” Swinney said. “Both flashed.”

Jay Haynes is also expected to rejoin the group at some point in the near future. Haynes has been wearing a green jersey in practice after tearing an ACL in the ACC Championship Game against SMU last December.

A lot of the offseason attention has been focused on Davidson, who was one of the top running backs in the country in the last recruiting cycle. As a senior in high school, Davidson was the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia after rushing for 2,341 yards with 37 touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 8.9 yards per carry and played a big role in his team going undefeated and winning a state title last season.

While he’s not expected to be the starter to begin the season, Davidson seems primed to have plenty of chances to showcase his talent in his debut season.

“The game is still slowing down for him, especially all the stuff that he is looking at defensively right now. Because there is a lot going on,” Swinney said. “It is like a washing machine, there is stuff everywhere. He is willing, that is the main thing. And he is smart. As long as you got that, the rest of it will come through getting some good reps.”

Photo courtesy of Dawson Powers