Clemson brings kicker out of retirement to compete for starting role, per report
Former Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz is back with the team, according to a report.
Per Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Williams, Weitz received a phone call from coach Dabo Swinney on Sunday. Weitz, a former backup kicker with the Tigers, had stepped away from football but is enrolled in graduate courses at Clemson this semester.
Clemson’s kicker situation has been one of the Tigers’ biggest issues so far this season. Robert Gunn III was slated to be the team’s primary kicker this year, but is off to a 1-for-4 start on field goals in 2023.
Gunn missed a pair of kicks in Clemson’s Week 1 loss to Duke. He also missed an extra point in Clemson’s Week 3 win over Florida Atlantic.
Weitz last kicked for Clemson in 2022. A former walk-on, Weitz kicked the final extra point of Clemson’s 40-10 win over Miami on senior day last season.
He went 3-for-3 on extra point attempts during his time with the Tigers. Weitz has not attempted a field goal at the collegiate level.
Swinney has not yet confirmed Weitz’s addition to the roster. However, he did say Sunday that the team was close to making a team at kicker spot following Gunn’s struggles vs. FAU.
Swinney said the Tigers are "really close" to evaluating the placekicking situation. Says that Aidan Swanson would be the No. 2 right now.
— Clemson Sports (@ClemsonSports) September 17, 2023
Clemson will host Florida State on Saturday.