CLEMSON — Clemson’s future got a chance to show itself in the win against the Furman Paladins on Saturday.

The Tigers (6-5) took control early and dominated against the Paladins. In the win, the starters kicked things off to take a big lead early before slowly giving the reins to many of the backup players on both the Clemson offense and defense.

The main runner that took control of the game was freshman Gideon Davidson, who had sporadic playing time throughout the 2025 season. Up to this point, Davidson had 41 carries across the past 10 games while earning 173 yards on the ground. Against the Paladins, however, Davidson was the lead back for a large portion of the contest.

Davidson broke off a 28-yard run in the first quarter, which set up a play where receiver Tyler Brown took a reverse-end-around to the end zone for a touchdown. In the second quarter, the Tigers looked to the ground game more, and it was there where Davidson earned most of his carries. His five carries in the second quarter earned 22 yards, adding to his ending total of 52.

Redshirt freshman David Eziomume finished just behind Davidson, rushing six times for 34 yards. Over the course of this season, he has run 10 times for 37 yards, so Saturday’s affair was the most he has earned in a game since he has been with the Tigers.

Another freshman who made an appearance was receiver Juju Preston. His talent and promise have been spoken highly of during the season by coaches and staff, but he had yet to make an appearance on the field.

Against the Paladins (6-6), however, the Tigers had Preston return a Furman punt in the second quarter. After catching the ball, he took off up the field and was called down at the 50-yard line, setting up the Tigers in good field position on their next offensive drive. He also recorded a reception in the latter half of the game, catching it for four yards.

Near the end of the game, freshman quarterback Chris Denson came, breaking off three rushes with one going for 50 yards and bringing the Tigers into the red zone. Denson ended the drive by finding freshman tight end Logan Brooking on an out-route, increasing the lead for the Tigers to 38-10 at the time.

Denson ended the contest 4-for-4 for 22 yards and a touchdown while rushing six times for 106 yards and a rushing touchdown. He had a 10-yard rushing TD with 9 seconds to play.

The dual-threat quarterback made only a single appearance, running the ball for two yards against the SMU Mustangs earlier in the season.

Denson threw for 4,813 yards while rushing for 1,940 yards on the ground in high school, and his future at Clemson could be bright if he gets the chance to compete for the starting job.

Brooking, the son of former NFL linebacker Keith Brooking, earned his first reception, as well as his first touchdown, against the Paladins.

The young talent for the Tigers, including those on both offense and defense, demonstrated their worth against the Paladins in a blowout victory in Death Valley. There is much more, however, in store for them following the conclusion of the 2025 season and the departure of the starting seniors.