Clemson wanted a brand new kicker this week, so coach Dabo Swinney known as a well-recognized identify who wasn’t even taking part in soccer anymore. Jonathan Weitz, Clemson’s former backup kicker, returned to the staff this week regardless of getting ready for a job in the actual world.
Weitz was a walk-on at Clemson from 2019 to ’22, however he spent everything of his profession behind B.T. Potter, the Tigers’ all-time chief in subject targets. Each Potter and Weitz moved on from the staff after final yr, with Potter within the NFL and Weitz headed to the following section of his life.
Nevertheless, Clemson’s new kicker, redshirt freshman Robert Gunn III, has struggled to begin the season, making only one subject objective in 4 makes an attempt this yr. So, Swinney known as Weitz, who had an additional COVID yr of eligibility left, to see if he’d come out of retirement.
Regardless of having a job lined up in New York Metropolis, Weitz agreed to return and took over as Clemson’s beginning kicker towards No. 4 Florida State. After solely making further factors beforehand, Weitz made his first collegiate subject objective within the first quarter to offer the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz was anticipated to begin a brand new job in New York Metropolis subsequent month.
Right now, he made his first collegiate subject objective 👏
(through @accnetwork) pic.twitter.com/Ij0vhPyBkm
— Sports activities Illustrated (@SInow) September 23, 2023
Swinney acknowledged that he doubtless would faucet Gunn for any long-range kicks, however he needed a extra constant possibility for shorter kicks and extra-point makes an attempt.
“It’s both gonna be an incredible story or it’s gonna be horrible. It’s not gonna be something in between,” Swinney stated about Weitz, through The Athletic’s Grace Raynor. “I hope [Saturday] doesn’t come right down to a kick. I don’t know if my coronary heart can take that.”
