CLEMSON — On a weekend when Clemson is playing its biggest rival in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Tigers are honoring a former All-American, who is from the same area.

It’s no coincidence former Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel is being inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame on the same weekend when he and the Tigers are hosting No. 4 Florida Sate at Memorial Stadium. McDaniel, along with his old teammate Kyle Parker and former running back Raymond Priester, will receive special recognition during Saturday’s game. The rest of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class will also be honored.

“It feels like a job well done,” McDaniel said to The Clemson Insider. “It’s another accomplishment and a way for Clemson to say, ‘Thank you for what you did for us.’”

McDaniel is from Tallahassee, Fla., and grew up a diehard Seminoles fan. When he became a star at Tallahassee’s Amos P. Godby High School, it was a foregone conclusion he was headed to Florida State.

However, he stunned everyone when he picked Clemson over FSU.

McDaniel became a thorn in the side of the Seminoles, helping the Tigers gain victories over his favorite childhood team in 2007 and 2009.

His best moment against the ‘Noles came in 2009 when he intercepted a Christian Ponder pass to help seal the Tigers’ 40-24 victory.

Former Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel points to Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder (7) after intercepting his pass during the fourth quarter of the 2009 game. The Tigers won the game 40-24 at Memorial Stadium. (File Photo)

“I definitely still hear about it to this day,” McDaniel said.

With his family and close friends coming to Clemson for his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, McDaniel could not have asked for a better weekend to be honored.

“It is amazing. Obviously, my family is going to come up. I told all the Florida State fans, y’all are not allowed to come,” he said jokingly. “I made sure I kept the list real slim. It is really big. My family is excited about it and obviously, they are going to come up for the Florida State game and then they get to come up and see me recognized and honored on the same weekend. This is a special weekend for me, but it’s a special weekend for them, too.”

“Growing up a diehard Seminole (fan) and then being recognized in a game like this, it is just special,” McDaniel continued.

McDaniel is the third former Clemson player on Dabo Swinney’s staff, who also played for Swinney, to earn Hall of Fame recognition. C.J. Spiller, who coaches the running backs, was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020, while Da’Quan Bowers was honored as a member of the 2022 Class. Bowers is a Defensive Player Development Coach for Swinney.

Of course, McDaniel, along with Parker, were all teammates on Clemson’s 2009 team, the first Tiger squad to earn a spot in the ACC Championship Game.

“It means a lot to me to be honored with those amazing players, I played with a few of them,” McDaniel said. “A Da’Quan Bowers, a C.J. Spiller, guys like that who have been there. There are probably a lot more that I have coached with that will probably be there as well. Just to be honored with so many of those great legends, it is awesome.”

As for going into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame with Parker, it makes it that much sweeter for McDaniel.

“He was a baller. I am so honored to be recognized with him, as well,” McDaniel said. “I don’t think people understand how great of a player he could have continued to be on this football field. He left as a redshirt sophomore if I am not mistaken. He was a great quarterback and then went out there with baseball and did the same thing. It is definitely an honor to be recognized with him.”

As a player, McDaniel was one of the top safeties at Clemson from 2007-’10. He was a first-team All-America in 2009 and a third-team selection in 2010.

McDaniel tied for third in the nation and was first in the ACC in interceptions in 2009. That season, he was the only player in the nation to have at least eight interceptions and 100 tackles.

As a senior, McDaniel, a 2010 Clemson graduate, led the Tigers in interceptions and tackles. He finished his career with 15 interceptions in his 53 games and was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection.

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