CLEMSON — Adam Randall has an amazing opportunity in front of him.

After not having quite the career many had envisioned over his first three seasons as a wide receiver, Randall is now looking to make his mark at running back.

Short on bodies at the position, Clemson moved Randall to running back just ahead of its matchup at Texas last season in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, and after the Tigers were eliminated, Dabo Swinney made it clear the move was a permanent one.

While Randall came out of the spring atop the depth chart, many doubted how long he’d stay there. Many envisioned Gideon Davidson, who was one of the top backs in the last recruiting class, possibly overtaking Randall by the time the season rolled around.

However, the closer the August 30 season opener gets, the more Randall has strengthened his grip on that starting role. Maybe everyone should have listened a little more closely to what Swinney said during Clemson’s annual media outing just before the start of camp.

“I really think he will be one of the great college football stories this year,” the head coach said. “I really believe it. I really believe in Adam Randall.”

It was pretty clear that Swinney already had a pretty good indication of how the rotation was going to shake out. While some of that might be due to Davidson just not quite being ready at this early stage of his career, most of it is due to Randall quickly adapting to his new role.

With Jay Haynes still not all the way back from his ACL injury and Jarvis Green suffering an injury that will keep him out indefinitely, David Eziomume has been taking a lot of the reps behind Randall. Where Keith Adams Jr. fits in is yet to be determined. Maybe he is used in some short-yardage or goal-line situations, but for now, it appears Randall and Eziomume will get a bulk of the work against LSU.

The Tigers scrimmaged twice during camp, and the returns from Randall’s performances in both were rather encouraging.

Now, Randall just needs to stay healthy. He’s battled some injuries over his first three seasons, including a torn ACL and a broken hand, so he is due a little bit of luck on the injury front. He did suffer a scare last week, but it turned out to be nothing more than a bruise.

Can Randall have the type of season in which he actually becomes one of the great stories in college football this season? We will have to wait for that answer.

One thing we do know at this point is that Randall is going to have an opportunity to rewrite his legacy. The ball is in his hands. Literally.

“He has really bought into this role, reshaping his career,” Swinney also said. “He is going to be a lot of fun to coach. You just pray and hope he can stay healthy, because I think if he does, you are going to see a lot of what we see. He is a very natural guy. It has been a natural transition.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright