CLEMSON – In 2023, Clemson staffers fervently evaluated the top high school running back in Virginia, a six-foot standout with breakout power and strength beyond his years.

That running back’s name was Gideon Davidson, and he was quickly becoming a high-level prospect in college football spheres.

As Tiger coaches watched the tape, they saw Davidson run for 132 touchdowns and amass over 10,000 rushing yards across his four years at Liberty Christian Academy. Shortly before his senior year, the Lynchburg, Va., resident got an official offer to play football at Clemson.

Two months later, he officially picked the Tigers over nearly 20 other Power Four offers.

As Clemson coaches honed in on the film from their most recent commit, they realized Davidson’s success would not be possible without the help of his offensive line– specifically his 6-foot-5 teammate Easton Ware, who had built up a vast recruiting profile of his own on both sides of the ball, but especially as a right tackle.

Around three months after Davidson committed to play football at Clemson, Ware also found himself in the Upstate of South Carolina, meeting with head coach Dabo Swinney.

“(Davidson) really put Clemson on the market for me because that’s what got Dabo Swinney to notice me,” Ware said. “I remember when he offered me over in the coach’s locker room. I forgot what game it was, but I committed before the Notre Dame game, and he said ‘Gideon’s putting up all these crazy numbers. There’s got to be someone blocking for him.’ So he really put me on the radar for Clemson, which I was very grateful for.”

However, Ware was far from undiscovered before the Tigers staff came across his tape. By the time he committed to Clemson, Ware had been named the eighth-best player in Virginia by ESPN, as well as the 36th best at his position in the country. 

He chose the Tigers over 10 other Power Four opportunities, including multiple in his home state.

In January of 2025, just after their second straight high school state championship, Ware and Davidson moved to Clemson together, fittingly becoming roommates. It marked the sixth time in an eight-year span that Clemson signed at least one pair of high school teammates in a recruiting class.

“It’s been an amazing opportunity to come with him throughout this whole journey,” Ware said of Davidson. “And he’s a great guy. Like y’all all know Gideon, a great God-loving man. He comes from a great family. So me and him are still close, you know, not as much as our first semester cuz we lived together. And from then on, he moved in with some of the linebackers and tight ends. I moved in with the O-linemen. But it’s great seeing him grow and become the man he is today.”

Now, as sophomores, the Old Dominion state stars get to showcase their cohesion on a much bigger stage as starters for Clemson’s (3-2, 2-1 ACC) offense.

So far, Davidson has started all five games for Clemson, putting up two performances of 100 or more rushing yards, and running for his first four collegiate touchdowns. Ware, after missing last season due to injury, made his first start at right tackle in the Tigers’ season-opening loss to LSU, but with veteran Collin Sadler coming back from injury, he played off of the bench in the next four games.

After taking over at right guard in Clemson’s most recent loss to Miami, the coaches decided to make a more permanent move to insert Ware into the starting lineup there.

“Finishing the game with Easton Ware in there gave us a little more athleticism right there at right guard,” offensive line coach Matt Luke said. “I think moving forward that is where it will start.

“Moving Easton in there, I think that gives you your five best athletes on the field,” he added.

Now, Davidson will be running with a little extra trust, knowing that the teammate he has known the longest, and even lived with, will be blocking for him. Surely, it is just how the pair drew it up when they shared a commitment celebration during their high school days in Virginia.

“It’s honestly like a big blessing,” Ware said.

Ware will get his second career start as the Tigers look to bounce back after an open date, as Clemson hosts Charleston Southern Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The game is set to kick off at noon.