As Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney put it, Mad Max “stole the show” in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s 37-0 win over Charleston Southern at Memorial Stadium.

Max Wilson, a junior walk-on running back, shined in his season debut as he rushed for 52 yards on seven carries, averaging 7.4 yards per attempt.

Swinney praised Wilson after the game, using the nickname “Mad Max” and pointing out how punishing Wilson is to tackle.

Swinney says he is a “business decision” for opposing defenders — anyone trying to bring Wilson down had better have their “big boy pads on” because they are going to feel it.

“My man, ‘Mad Max’ Wilson, stole the show,” Swinney said. “He ran hard. He’s tough. The kids love him. He’s a business decision. You’re gonna come tackle him, you better have your big boy pads on, because you’re going to feel that kid.”

Additionally, Swinney credited Wilson for helping preserve the team’s shutout after he hustled downfield to make a tackle following a fourth-quarter interception.

“He gets a lot of credit for the shutout, because he went and made the tackle on the interception,” Swinney said. “So, really proud of him.”

Wilson walked on at Clemson last year. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder entered the 2026 season having played five offensive snaps in one game appearance last season (his Clemson debut vs. Furman).

The Bogart, Ga., native played quarterback at North Oconee High School in Georgia, earning Region 8-4A Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2023.