People grow up on one side of bitter rivalries, but Clemson is changing that persecutive of a coveted recruit  and his family along the way.

2026 wide receiver Jordon Gidron grew up in Columbia, where his father is a Sourh Carolina fan. He’s made his first visit to the Tigers in the fall for the North Carolina game, and it changed his perspective quickly.

“I live in Columbia, so I was more of a Gamecock fan.. I wasn’t like against Clemson or anything, but I just liked Carolina. When I actually got up there. I saw the weight room. I saw what they were doing. They talked about academics. So when I got there, it grow on me more. Before I went, I kind of grew up as a South Carolina.fan,” Gidron said.

Gidron went on to say his family is supportive of the Clemson program in his recruitment now, and the rivalry no longer plays a factor. As Gidron’s interest in the Tigers has grown, wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham was the coach that he was in contact with.

There’s a “lot of love” Gidron is feeling from Grisham, and he said that it’s a “great relationship” in his recruitment.  As spring practice begins, Gidron confirmed his plans to visit March 9, the day many recruits are circling.

It might not come till a couple months after the upcoming visit, but Gidron said an offer from Clemson would be a big one for him.

“They’re a great school, a lot of championships. They have a great history in college football,” Gidron said. “Hometown school, great profgram so that offer would definitely mean a lot to me.”