When Payton Page got to Clemson in 2021, the defensive tackle weighed in at what head coach Dabo Swinney says was “maybe a little over” 400 pounds.
Three years later, Page is in much better physical shape and has slimmed down significantly as he heads into his fourth season.
At Clemson’s annual “BIG Weigh-In” on July 31 prior to the start of fall camp, Page checked in at 307 – around 100 pounds lighter than his heaviest weight at the start of his career.
That’s quite a transformation for Page, and Swinney is certainly proud of how far he’s come and the hard work he’s put in over the course of his time in the program.
Clemson defensive tackle Payton Page (55) during the Tigers’ opening day of fall camp Thursday, August 1, 2024. Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider
“It’s incredible. That’s what it’s all about. It really is,” Swinney said of Page’s transformation. “He was in a really bad place, he and (current redshirt junior offensive lineman) Tristan Leigh, when they came in here. Just their bodies were in a bad, bad place, and to see the transformation that’s happened in those two guys going into their fourth year – it should always be not where you start. They all come in at different spots. You might make freshman All-American, but you might stink the rest of the way. It’s your commitment and getting better and developing, and man, I’m really proud of those guys.”
A former four-star prospect from Greensboro, N.C., Page has posted 33 tackles (4.0 for loss), a pass breakup, two fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal in 527 defensive snaps over 39 career games from 2021-23.
Last season, Page tallied 11 tackles (0.5 for loss) and a fumble recovery in 238 snaps across 13 games, and now the stout 6-foot-4 senior is looking to earn a starting tackle spot on Clemson’s defensive line in 2024.
When Page first arrived at Clemson, Swinney admittedly didn’t see him in a leadership role for the Tigers. But he has turned himself into just that, a leader, and Swinney has high expectations entering 2024 for who he described as a “unique player.”
“Payton, it’s amazing. He is a big, strong, unique player. He’s a unique player,” Swinney said. “He can really, really move. He can collapse the pocket, he’s athletic enough to really rush the passer. He’s really become a leader. That’s something that I didn’t see three-plus years ago, and now he’s really bought in to leading other guys. You don’t do what he’s done without changing your lifestyle. So, I’m happy for him, and we expect big things from Payton for sure.”
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