CLEMSON — An estimated 47,000 fans gathered at Memorial Stadium Saturday to glimpse the 2024 Clemson Football team in the annual Orange & White Spring Game. Veterans and newcomers shone in the Orange’s 27-12 defeat over White.
Many fans were excited to compare quarterback Cade Klubnik’s Orange team and redshirt freshman Christopher Vizzina’s White squad, but another quarterback stepped up to spark a debate.
Local product Trent Pearman stole the show from Klubnik and Vizzina, as he threw for 141 yards and amassed 62 yards on the ground, including a 49-yard touchdown. Pearman led both teams down the field twice, with respective five-play drives to the end zone.
Playing at a high level is nothing new for the redshirt sophomore. In 2020 and 2021, he led nearby D.W. Daniel High School to two consecutive state championships with help from 6,555 passing yards in his career. Now, the two-time state Gatorade Player of the Year has a chance to shine in a different stadium 4.8 miles away from Daniel High.
“He plays with good time, great time, and he has a really good understanding (of the game),” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “Again, he has a lot of moxie, a lot of gamesmanship to his game that comes naturally to him. He’s been around it a long time and just has complete ownership of what we do.”
Pearman’s father, Danny, is a former Clemson player and longtime coach for the Tigers. He now serves as Clemson’s director of football scouting. Pearman credits his ease and comfort on the field to growing up with football at the forefront of life.
“When I was a kid, Monday through Sunday was football,” he said. “I’d go to (dad’s) practices and have mine Monday through Friday, his game Saturday, and then break down his game and watch NFL Sunday. That’s what my life is, and I love it.”
While Pearman is “a little undersized,” according to Swinney, his goal is to focus on who he is as a quarterback, and not what he lacks.
“I’m not a guy who’s 6’6. I’m not going to throw it 85 yards,” Pearman said. “But I’m someone who’s going to compete and give it my all. One thing I know is effort doesn’t go in a slump, so I just try to give my best effort and give all I can.”
Pearman gave his best effort in the Orange & White game ahead of the 2024 season, and now gives Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley something else to think about in the off-season.
Clemson will open 2024 with the Georgia Bulldogs in the season opener on Aug. 31.
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
