CLEMSON – On a chilly December night in 2024, Nolan Hauser winked, nodded assuredly and kicked a game-winning 56-yard field goal to give Clemson an ACC Championship victory over SMU and its first College Football Playoff bid in four years.

Confetti rained on Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium as Clemson fans and players erupted with joy for a season still breathing. 

“I’m so thankful for the heart of our team, and I’m so grateful for all of our fans coming out here and supporting our team tonight,” head coach Dabo Swinney said on the ESPN broadcast, gesturing to a sea of orange-and-white that contrasted the stadium seats and SMU’s blue tone.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik left with an MVP trophy. Swinney exited the building with his ninth ACC title. Hauser became a legend ingrained in Clemson lore. It was a deeply joyous night for the program and its parishioners.

It was not as sweet of a night, though, for running back Jay Haynes, who departed from Charlotte on crutches, wearing a knee brace and a new reality. The sophomore, a rising star behind senior starter Phil Mafah, had torn his ACL on a kickoff return to open the second half. He was done for the season, and the Tigers were suddenly short of any healthy running backs with any legitimate experience.

While his teammates prepared for a trip to Austin to play Texas in the first round of the playoff, Haynes underwent a reconstructive surgery that marked the beginning of winding recovery.

Now, 20 months since Haynes has played in a football game–and since the Tigers have won a top-15 matchup–the former championship team-contributor is ready to return to the gridiron, fully healthy for the first time since before Hauser let his famous kick fly.

 “It’s been a crazy process to be honest with you,” Haynes said. “I’m very happy to be back on the field. Obviously, everybody knows it took some time, but just to get back on the field, man. I mean, I’m blessed. The only thing I can do is thank God.”

Instead of being ushered into the spotlight, which seemed to be the plan for Haynes at the time of his injury, the Roanoke, Ala., native spent his 2025 pushing through physical therapy, sustaining a few setbacks that included a quad strain in the early months of his recovery.

 Adam Randall, a former wide receiver who took over at running back in the Tigers’ eventual playoff loss to Texas, earned the starting role last season. True freshman Gideon Davidson and sophomore David Eziomume took the other limited carries.

Sidelined, Haynes waited. He watched. And he learned.

“Just being away from the game, just being able to watch the games from the sidelines, you get to actually pay attention and get the mental reps,” he said. “Like just being out, it taught me a lot about the game. slowed the game down for me, just being able to watch the game.”

Haynes continued his learning while the Tigers started 3-5 to open 2025. He drilled and lifted while they came back to salvage a 7-6 final record. He watched as offensive coordinator Chad Morris was hired in January and promised to bring back a focus on the run-game. 

Faithfully, Haynes strengthened his knee. He went to the nutritionist. He watched film. But in reality, all he wanted to do was get back onto the practice field with the other members of his position group, some of whom had never even seen him play in a Clemson game.

“Football obviously is a big part of my life,” Haynes said. “I love the game. So, not being able to be out there with my brothers, just seeing them, you know, strain and train all summer, spring, just not being able to do that with them and show the love that I got for them, that was probably the toughest part.”

Ahead of Clemson’s 2026 season, Haynes is competing in fall camp for the first time since surgery without a ‘limited’ green or yellow jersey. Though the Tigers are not yet practicing in full pads, he has successfully completed five days with implemented contact. His health has stood up to the test.

“(Haynes has) looked healthy,” Swinney said. “It’s been good to see him back out there.

“He’s been hit,” Swinney added. “We’ve been full-speed thud. I mean, it’s live. You’re just not putting them on the ground. So, it’s been very physical these past couple days and those guys are all doing what they need to do and demonstrating that they’re healthy and ready to go.”

Now, Haynes can focus his sights on winning another ACC Championship in his final two years of collegiate eligibility. And if the Tigers could pull off a win, no one would be happier than a healthy Jay Haynes. The journey for an improved season for Clemson and healthy year for the running back will start on Sept. 5, when the 23rd-ranked Tigers head to Baton Rouge, La., to open their season against No. 13 LSU in Tiger Stadium.