adam randall clemson
Clemson senior Adam Randall, a converted receiver, remains at the top of the Tigers’ depth chart at running back heading into Week 1 against LSU. Clemson Athletics/Provided
CLEMSON — Clemson senior Adam Randall rattled off sources of inspiration that mostly fit the mold for a receiver turned running back.
Mostly.
Of course he’s watched Cordarrelle Patterson and Deebo Samuel, two hybrid athletes who rack up receiving and rushing yards in sizablealo straitsthe sizable quantities. He’s also studied Derrick Henry, a 6-foot-3, 247-pound goliath with traits the 6-2, 235-pound Randall hopes to mimichopes to mimic.
But Randall continued with his list after a recent fall camp practice, and it jumped to a dual-threat athlete of an entirely different nature. He’ll say he “joked” about this with his quarterback, Cade Klubnik, but Randall isn’t entirely kidding.
Randall has triedto copy tried to copyCam Newton, the former Panthers quarterback.
“His stature is kind of helpful,” Randall said of the 6-5, 245-pound Auburn alum, “because we're both tall guys, and he would put his body on the line a lot when he would run with the Panthers.
“Just watching those guys be selfless and, you know, run the ball hard and run the ball with great passion is the biggest thing.”
Newton Newton posted nearly 10 times more rushing yards, 5,628, in an 11-year NFL career than Randall has posted from scrimmage, 577 total total, in three years at Clemson.
Randall received carriescombinedreceived the first four carries of his college career in a playoff loss at Texas. One burst for 41 yards; the other three combined for three yards.
As he made a permanent transition to running back in the spring, it was reasonable to assume Randall had some natural ability but still had alot findingtoattack a lot to learn. It can take years to find the proper pacing and patience to attack a rushing lane, as well as the mental processing speed necessary necessary to identify and take out blitzers in pass protection.
But into his transition just a handful of months into his transition, Randall sits atop the Tigers’ depth chart at running back, which indicates the senior is a quick study or the youngsters behind him, Gideon Davidson and David Eziomume, needneed more time to mature.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney swears it’s not the latter.
“I know nobody thinks we got good players there, but I like our running backs,” Swinney said. “I think we got a good group, and I think they can all help us."
In fact, Swinney marked a “plus” by the running back position on Aug. 9 after the Tigers’ first scrimmage of fall camp. They were all “productive,” Swinney said, versus a Clemson defense that features NFL-caliberalong its defensive line talent along its defensive line.
That scrimmage, per usualper usual, was closed to the public. So everyone just has to take Swinney’s word for it until Aug. 30 against LSU.
HHis proclamations about Randall have been quite loud. Swinney said he believes Randall could be one of college football’s great stories. He’s called Randall a tone-setter and an “unquestioned leader” for a veteran offense.
Randall hasn’t spent much time operating between the tackles since his days taking direct snaps as a “wildcat” quarterback in youth league and periodically in high school. But Swinney doesn’t seem to envision Randall as a “gadget” type of player.
He’s been portrayed as an every-down option, including short-yardage situations.
“I'm confident in Adam doing anything. I mean, he's 237 pounds,” Swinney said. “There's no limitations on Adam Randall. He can do anything. He's a complete player.”
Swinney speaks with consistent confidence about Randall, which the senior seems to have absorbed himself. That’s a step forward, because the Myrtle Beach native has had to rediscover his swagger in years past while battling injuries.Swinney speaks with consistent confidence about Randall, which the senior seems to have absorbed himself. That’s a step forward, because the Myrtle Beach native has had to rediscover his swagger in years past while battling injuries.
He appears ready to put his body on the line like Newton, because that’s what made the towering quarterback a national champion at Auburn.
Newton had a proclivity for lowering his shoulders and ramming across the goal line.
“Doesn't matter where I'm getting the ball, 1-yard line or the opposite 1-yard line,” Randall said, “I'm trying to do the main objective — and get the ball in the end zone.Newton had a proclivity for lowering his shoulders and ramming across the goal line.”