It’s only fitting that Gideon Davidson is sporting a new number.

Wearing No. 9 as a freshman, Davidson’s rookie year didn’t go quite as planned. Over the first seven games of last season, Davidson had just 15 carries, with senior Adam Randall getting a bulk of the work.

Once the calendar turned to November, Davidson started getting a little more work, but still only carried the ball 60 times all season. Randall had almost three times as many,

Expect those numbers to increase dramatically this season. With Randall now off to the NFL, and Davidson being the presumed starting running back, he is now wearing the No. 8. New number for a new season.

With Chad Morris now back in charge of the offense, it’s fairly safe to assume the running game will once again be a point of focus at Clemson. Far too often last season, Garrett Riley would get away from the run.

While Davidson did show some flashes a season ago, he never really had that breakout performance. In fact, he’s yet to score a touchdown in his collegiate career.

If the offensive line does its part, and with Morris back calling the plays, 2026 could be a big year for Davidson. Morris has always liked using the running game to set up the play-action passes, and that will only benefit the second-year running back.

“Gideon to me has stood out as much as anybody,” Morris said just before the spring game.

“I think Gideon has had a really good spring. I really do. Gideon’s had a really solid spring. Runs hard.”

With Davidson, it’s never been a question of talent. He averaged more than 10 yards per carry during a stellar high school career. He was a consensus Top 100 talent and was ranked as high as the third-best back in the 2026 class. All he needs is the opportunity, and he should have plenty this season.

However, Davidson isn’t the only talented back on the roster. The Tigers signed Chris Johnson Jr. out of the transfer portal, and seeing as he’s one of the fastest running backs in the country, he adds elite-level speed to that room. The kind of speed no other back on the roster possesses.

Johnson also has a diverse skillset, meaning Morris could choose to use him in a variety of ways.

David Eziomume is entering his third season, as is Jarvis Green. If Jay Haynes is finally healthy, Clemson could have a really good stable of backs when the season kicks off on September 5 in Baton Rouge against LSU.

“I think we have a good group of running backs that you can roll some guys in,” Morris said. “You don’t have to have an every-down back that is going to get every one of the reps. We got a group where we can roll guys in and feel really confident with.”