CLEMSON – Before Clemson’s 37-0 win over Charleston Southern Saturday, four Tiger players in purple jerseys trotted out to midfield for the customary coin toss.

Each of these players, dubbed captains for the Tigers’ Annual Military Appreciation Game, were fifth year seniors, wrapping up their final years of collegiate eligibility after playing together since 2022.

Locked arm-in-arm, quarterback Trent Pearman represented the offense, kicker Robert Gunn III and Clay Swinney represented special teams and safety Kylon Griffin was the lone defensive player at the 50-yard-line meeting. 

A few moments after the Tigers won the coin toss, Griffin got to cap off his Clemson career with a new milestone– scoring a touchdown in Memorial Stadium. 

After Clemson scored off of a Chris Johnson Jr. run to take a 24-0 lead in the second quarter, Gunn kicked off for the Tigers. On the return, linebacker C.J. Kubah-Taylor and wide receiver Tristan Smith converged to knock the ball loose from Charleston Southern’s returner. In a split-second turn of events, Griffin scooped up the ball and returned it for a 13-yard touchdown, extending Clemson’s lead 31-0.

It was the first time he found the back of Death Valley’s end zone and his second career fumble recovery.

“It was really a blessing, man, really,” Griffin said after the game. “I’ve scored at every level of football. Little league, middle school, high school, and now college. It’s a blessing. I was thinking about that. while we were talking. I’m just so grateful.”

After earning high school All-State honors in Alabama in 2021, as well as running track for Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, Griffin committed to the Tigers over offers from Mississippi State and Nebraska, among others. He made 13 combined appearances in his first two seasons at Clemson, racking up 11 tackles and two interceptions.

In 2024, Griffin made four starts under former defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin, racking up 25 tackles, two pass breakups and four deflections.

In his final two years with the Tigers, Griffin has settled into a depth role, recording 11 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a tackle for loss in 11 appearances under defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who joined Clemson’s staff in 2025.

Through it all, Griffin has remained committed to Clemson, participating in P.A.W. Journey’s service trip to South Africa in spring of 2024 and earning his bachelor’s degree in management in December of 2025. 

Head coach Dabo Swinney, who has now known the defensive back for the better part of the decade, was thrilled to see his hard work pay off in the victory.

“KG, fifth year senior, he was a captain for us today,” Swinney said. “It was a big hit. I want to say it was Tristan and Kubah-Taylor who knocked it loose. ButI was so happy for KG. And the team was happy for him. I mean, this kid loves Clemson. He’s a Tiger through and through. He’s one of those guys that has a role on the team and really stays ready and embraces his role. So what a cool moment for him to be able to score.” 

Griffin is one of only six defenders from the class of 2022 still on the Tigers’ team. All four of the 2022 defenders that recorded snaps against the Buccaneers recorded at least one tackle. Defensive end Caden Story, linebacker Kobe McCloud and Fletcher Cothran– other fifth-years– combined for 10 total tackles. Story also finished with three tackles for loss, including 1.5 of the Tigers’ four sacks.

As a veteran, though, Griffin walked away from the victory feeling more excited about the defense’s first shutout since 2021 than any individual accolade.

“I’m proud of the shutout we had,” he said. “It’s been a while since we pitched a shutout on defense and we have banners for shutouts, I’m glad to have another banner in the defensive room.”

Griffin and the Tigers’ defense will have their next chance to make a statement next Saturday, when Clemson hosts Virginia Tech at Memorial Stadium.