Cade Klubnik compares Gideon Davidson to Travis Etienne

The Clemson Tigers are a program with what has become a long history of great running back play. Now, quarterback Cade Klubnik thinks that the Tigers may have found their next great running back.

Incoming freshman Gideon Davidson has been turning heads very early in his time at Clemson. He’s even gotten the starting quarterback’s attention, who at a recent press conference compared the young running back to Travis Etienne.

“Yeah, Gideon was getting it,” Cade Klubnik said. “He’s smooth. His cuts elite. His ability to — that first step and acceleration once he gets kind of to the line, it’s quick and it’s sudden. You know, I didn’t play with Travis, but it looks kind of like Travis Etienne.”

It’s clearly a compliment that most running backs would love to get. However, Klubnik did make sure to double back on it briefly, admitting he never played with Etienne, so he’s getting what he knows about the program legend from what he’s seen and heard about his game.

“That’s not saying much coming from me,” Klubnik said. “Because I didn’t play with him, but what I’ve seen of him, it’s cool. He looks really, really good.”

Certainly, the comparison to Travis Etienne is a lofty one. An All-American and national champion, he was a two-time ACC Player of the Year selection. Over the course of his vaunted college career, Etienne rushed for 4,952 yards on 7.2 yards per carry and 70 touchdowns. He also had 102 receptions for 1,155 yards and another eight touchdowns. Etienne is first all-time at Clemson in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for his career. Unsurprisingly, he also holds the top two single-season marks for both rushing yards and touchdowns as well.

That is obviously a legacy that is incredibly difficult to live up to. However, Gideon Davidson does seem poised to be great for the Tigers. A four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, he was the 90th-ranked player nationally and the fourth-ranked running back in that recruiting cycle. Coming out of high school, On3’s Charles Power shared what he’s seen from the young running back.

“Crafty runner with outstanding vision and spatial awareness. Measured at 5-foot-11..25, 202 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Added good mass to his frame as a junior. Had a monster junior season while leading Liberty Christian to a state title. Rushed for 2,716 yards and 43 touchdowns at 12.9 yards per carry. Shows advanced vision. Sets up his blocks and plays with spectacular timing with his offensive line. Patient and unhurried when picking his way through confined areas. Sifts through traffic as a runner between the tackles,” Power wrote.

“A very efficient runner with little wasted movement, always seeking to get north-south. Sets up defenders in space and understands angles. Uses his offhand to disarm tackle attempts. Solid speed, but doesn’t have an overwhelming initial burst or top gear. Doesn’t play good competition and will almost always win the footrace once in the open field, adding to his gaudy stats. A bit older for the cycle, turning 18 years-old in May of his junior year. Will need to continue developing physically and athletically, but has the requisite skill set to be a productive ball carrier at the Power 4 level.”

Cade Klubnik may not have played with Travis Etienne, but he’s getting the chance to play alongside Gideon Davidson. Clearly, it’s an opportunity worth being excited about.