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'Maverick' name fitting freshman standout well after embracing two-sport route over MLB

Tom Cruise may have to watch out, there’s a new Maverick in TigerTown.

Clemson true freshman quarterback and punt returner Will Taylor has garnered a new nickname around the Reeves Football Facility: "Maverick." In his first game action inside of Death Valley last weekend, Taylor made a big impact on special teams, including a 51-yard punt return down the visiting team sideline. The return was the Tigers' longest since 2019. Taylor also rushed the ball five times for 20 yards and had a touchdown run called back due to a penalty in the first quarter.

Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott told the media on Monday that he is taking full credit for the fly new nickname and that Taylor reminds him of Cruise because of how the South Carolina native carries himself.