WATCH: Clemson freshman Keith Adams Jr, TJ Dudley show off tattoos showcasing 'all in' mindset
The Clemson Tigers football team welcomed its newest members over the weekend and a couple new Tigers brought surprises with them. In a video shared from the team, 2022 running back signee Keith Adams Jr. and 2022 linebacker signee T.J. Dudley show off Clemson-themed tattoos to head coach Dabo Swinney.
Keith Adams Jr., son of former Clemson All-American linebacker Keith Adams, joined the 2022 class in the late signing window but is clearly “all in.” He spent most of his high school career at Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, but wrapped up his senior year in Utah.
The Tigers staff initially offered Adams, a three-star prospect, an opportunity to grey shirt, i.e. wait to go on scholarship. However, as late signing approached, the team reached out to Adams’ father to communicate that they would put him on scholarship for the fall.
“I’m already familiar with them,” the running back shared about why he chose Clemson. “It’s a great school. They’re more than just football and that’s what I like.”
Clemson has three other scholarship running backs on its roster for 2022: Will Shipley, Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah.
Six-foot-1, 218-pound linebacker T.J. Dudley was a four-star prospect and the No. 218 recruit in the nation, per the On3 Consensus. The Alabama native chose Clemson over Oregon and Texas. New Tigers defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin played a major role in his recruitment following the departure of Brent Venables.
Dudley earned All-State honor in Alabama three times, and his Montgomery Catholic defense allowed only 43 points in 2021 across 14 games.
The Tigers have a loaded group returning at linebacker for 2022, making it uncertain whether or not Dudley will redshirt his first year.