Nick Gordon has long been striving for an opportunity to suit up and play for Clemson.
The in-state wideout (Cheraw) has been attending Dabo Swinney’s high school camp since he was a youngster. Each summer, he’s gotten to know wide receivers coach Tyler Grisham a little better.
With Artavis Scott coming back to Clemson as a member of the coaching staff, Gordon now has another connection to the program. Scott was recruiting Gordon while he was on the staff at Howard, with the Bison pulling the trigger on an offer back in October. It was Gordon’s first collegiate offer.
“He was the first person to offer me,” Gordon told The Clemson Insider. “I have just had a good mix with him for a long time. And coach Grish as well. Throughout this whole process, we have been texting and everything. They just want to get me down and continue that relationship moving forward.”
With Scott back at Clemson, he’s been working to get Gordon back on campus. That visit is now set and will take place on March 6, with Gordon scheduled to come check out a spring practice. It will be his first time on campus since visiting for the Duke game last season.
“Everything was great about Clemson,” Gordon said. “The hospitality — as soon as I got there I was welcomed by somebody who welcomed me and my family. They talked about school, the academic part. Answering questions. They just laid it down for us. Overall, the people were good, the atmosphere was good, even though they were dealing with a hard time throughout the season. It was still good. Great vibes at Clemson.”
The Tigers lost to Duke that day, which dropped Clemson’s record to 3-5 at the time, something that Gordon was not expecting out of Swinney’s team last season.
“I was a little shaky about the season,” Gordon said. “But I feel like this year coming up, they can make a real good run.”
Gordon will attend Junior Days at both Charleston Southern and Liberty, but it’s the Clemson visit he’s really looking forward to.
“Just being able to get back,” Gordon said. “Talking to coach Grish and coach Scott. Just being able to bond and get closer to the program.”
Gordon won Region 4 AA Offensive Player of the Year honors for his strong junior campaign. The 5-foot-10 receiver hauled in a team-high 49 receptions for 695 yards with six touchdowns. He also had close to 500 return yards, giving him 1,337 all-purpose yards on the season.
Harvard, Penn, Wake Forest, Liberty, Navy and Coastal Carolina are some of the other schools in pursuit. While he’d love tp have the opportunity to play for any of those schools, Gordon is aiming high, looking for a chance to play for the Tigers.
“It would mean everything to me,” Gordon said. “Clemson has always been my number one top school. If they give me the opportunity, I am most likely going to take it and not look back. Prove that I am ready to be Tiger.”
Photo by Bart Boatwright