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Jon Gruden just might be Clemson’s biggest new hype man.
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach and current Barstool Sports personality took to social media this weekend to show off an impressive haul of Clemson Tigers gear—and deliver a heartfelt message that doubled as an impromptu recruiting pitch.
“You talk about a commitment to excellence—how ’bout the Clemson Tigers?” Gruden said with trademark enthusiasm, as he opened boxes of Tigers apparel and memorabilia sent by Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney, men’s golf coach Jordan Byrd, and men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell.
“I freakin’ love this,” Gruden said, nearly out of breath. “Football and golf—I gotta stop hyperventilating, I’ve never been this excited.”
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach and current Barstool Sports analyst Jon Gruden.Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
Gruden’s connection with Clemson is nothing new. In May 2021, he made his first visit to Tiger Town when he served as guest speaker at Swinney’s All In Ball. That weekend included a personal campus tour from Swinney—and it clearly left a mark.
“I love Dabo Swinney. I love Clemson. I love the school. You ever been there? It might be the most beautiful setting in all of the world,” Gruden said in the video. “Matter of fact, it might be heaven.”
Gruden’s affection for Clemson extends beyond admiration. As head coach of the Raiders during his second stint from 2018–2021, Gruden consistently turned to Clemson talent in the NFL Draft.
“I drafted almost every single Clemson Tiger,” he joked. “Hunter Renfrow, great slot receiver. Get back out on the grass, Hunter. Trayvon Mullen, started for me at corner. Cle Ferrell, helped me get the Raiders rolling.”
Gruden also highlighted former Tigers he drafted during his time in Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, including standout defensive back Brian Dawkins and defensive end Gaines Adams.
As host of “Gruden’s QB Class,” a Barstool Sports series profiling NFL-bound quarterbacks, it’s no surprise Gruden has an eye for elite signal-callers—and Clemson’s history at the position stood front and center.
“When you start thinking about Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson—now they got Cade Klubnik,” he said. “Where else you wanna go?”
Gruden even gave a nostalgic nod to Tigers greats from the past. “I remember Homer Jordan, he wore No. 3 when Danny Ford was on the sidelines, head coach. … Tajh Boyd went there. Perry Tuttle caught the passes.”
Gruden also flashed a Clemson football helmet signed by Swinney with the message, “Coach Gruden, Go Tigers!” He included footage of himself running down the hill at Death Valley during his previous visit, clearly savoring the legendary Clemson tradition.
“I hope everybody in the sport of sports looks into Clemson carefully,” Gruden said. “Because not only are there great coaches—it’s a great place.”
From a Hall of Fame shoutout to helmet unboxings, Jon Gruden just gave Clemson a PR boost that even the most creative marketing campaigns can’t replicate.
And he summed it up the best way he knows how: “I love orange.”
Continue reading...
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach and current Barstool Sports personality took to social media this weekend to show off an impressive haul of Clemson Tigers gear—and deliver a heartfelt message that doubled as an impromptu recruiting pitch.
“You talk about a commitment to excellence—how ’bout the Clemson Tigers?” Gruden said with trademark enthusiasm, as he opened boxes of Tigers apparel and memorabilia sent by Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney, men’s golf coach Jordan Byrd, and men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell.
“I freakin’ love this,” Gruden said, nearly out of breath. “Football and golf—I gotta stop hyperventilating, I’ve never been this excited.”
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Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach and current Barstool Sports analyst Jon Gruden.Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images
Gruden’s connection with Clemson is nothing new. In May 2021, he made his first visit to Tiger Town when he served as guest speaker at Swinney’s All In Ball. That weekend included a personal campus tour from Swinney—and it clearly left a mark.
“I love Dabo Swinney. I love Clemson. I love the school. You ever been there? It might be the most beautiful setting in all of the world,” Gruden said in the video. “Matter of fact, it might be heaven.”
Gruden’s affection for Clemson extends beyond admiration. As head coach of the Raiders during his second stint from 2018–2021, Gruden consistently turned to Clemson talent in the NFL Draft.
“I drafted almost every single Clemson Tiger,” he joked. “Hunter Renfrow, great slot receiver. Get back out on the grass, Hunter. Trayvon Mullen, started for me at corner. Cle Ferrell, helped me get the Raiders rolling.”
Gruden also highlighted former Tigers he drafted during his time in Tampa Bay and Philadelphia, including standout defensive back Brian Dawkins and defensive end Gaines Adams.
As host of “Gruden’s QB Class,” a Barstool Sports series profiling NFL-bound quarterbacks, it’s no surprise Gruden has an eye for elite signal-callers—and Clemson’s history at the position stood front and center.
“When you start thinking about Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson—now they got Cade Klubnik,” he said. “Where else you wanna go?”
Gruden even gave a nostalgic nod to Tigers greats from the past. “I remember Homer Jordan, he wore No. 3 when Danny Ford was on the sidelines, head coach. … Tajh Boyd went there. Perry Tuttle caught the passes.”
Gruden also flashed a Clemson football helmet signed by Swinney with the message, “Coach Gruden, Go Tigers!” He included footage of himself running down the hill at Death Valley during his previous visit, clearly savoring the legendary Clemson tradition.
“I hope everybody in the sport of sports looks into Clemson carefully,” Gruden said. “Because not only are there great coaches—it’s a great place.”
From a Hall of Fame shoutout to helmet unboxings, Jon Gruden just gave Clemson a PR boost that even the most creative marketing campaigns can’t replicate.
And he summed it up the best way he knows how: “I love orange.”
Continue reading...
