CLEMSON — When Payton Page first came to Clemson in 2021, he was a 400-pound freshman that had a long way to go before he could become a productive player.

Fast forward to Senior Day in 2024, and the Tigers’ defensive tackle made one of the most athletic plays a defensive tackle can make in No. 17 Clemson’s 51-14 victory over The Citadel Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

With the Tigers (9-2) already ahead 7-0, Page jumped up and snagged Jonathan Bennett’s third down pass and then proceeded to rumble 57 yards for a touchdown.

The entire play was an example of how far Page has come, as he admitted himself that is a play he could not have made when he first came to Clemson.

“I would have gone two yards. I would not have made it far at all,” Page said.

But on Saturday, with the help of a few of his friends laying some blocks, Page did the unthinkable and scored the first touchdown in his football life since he played running back in Pee Wee Football as a child.

“He was a captain today. So to see him get that score, that is pretty storybook stuff for that young man,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “I am really proud of him. He has a great spirit. He is an easy guy to coach, and again, I did not see him becoming a great leader when he was a freshman. I was hoping I could get him to buy in, and man he is a great leader.”

Payton bought in by first transforming his body and getting himself in shape. Then he learned how to maintain it.

“Payton has become a great leader. He is a really good player. He is probably the most steady guy all year,” Swinney said. “He is going to play more football after Clemson.

“I am just really proud of him. This kid has changed and transformed his life for the long term. He is very disciplined with how he takes care of his body. He is very strong. He has really learned the game. That was pretty cool.”

The 57-yard interception return for a touchdown is a moment Page and Swinney never thought they would see when Page was a freshman.

“We would still be out there. That would not happen,” Swinney later joked.

But it did happen and it happened on Senior Day.

“I was looking forward and I saw I had 60 yards to go. I saw Ricardo Jones and Khalil Barnes out in front blocking for me, so shout out to them boys for sure,” Page said.

“I feel like all the work I have put in showed, especially mentality” he continued. “I feel like I read that screen pretty good where I could make that play.”

A play he would not have made when he was a freshman.