Clemson’s Logan Rudolph, former Rock Hill area standout, giving up football
Clemson redshirt sophomore Logan Rudolph is stepping away from football.
The defensive end announced Thursday afternoon on Twitter that he will graduate in May and is moving on. Rudolph told The State in a text message that he is moving to Hollywood after graduation to pursue a career in acting.
Rudolph, a Rock Hill native, started nine games for the Tigers last season, recording 26 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack.
He announced his decision on a video posted to Twitter on Thursday, after originally announcing his commitment to Clemson with a video of him chopping down a tree in May of 2016.
“After I made that funny video announcing my decision to sign my letter of intent with Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers I had no idea the impact — three conference championships, three College Football Playoffs and a national championship, coaches, teammates, friendships that I know will last a lifetime,” Rudolph said in the video Thursday. “Every day I put that helmet on I tried to compete in a way that made Clemson University proud. As I close out this next chapter of my football career and I graduate in May, I just want to say thank you to those that supported us, inspired us, cheered us on. I’ll always be a Clemson Tiger.”
Rudolph is the latest departure from Clemson’s program in what has already been a busy offseason since the national title game against LSU on Jan. 13.
Quarterback Chase Brice, receiver T.J. Chase and defensive end Xavier Kelly are currently in the transfer portal, while linebacker Isaiah Simmons, receiver Tee Higgins and cornerback A.J. Terrell left Clemson early to enter the NFL draft.
Rudolph was expected to battle for a starting spot alongside Justin Foster and Xavier Thomas had he returned to school for his redshirt junior season in 2020.
The former Northwestern High star was rated as a four-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite rankings coming out of high school for the class of 2017. He chose Clemson over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, South Carolina and others.
Rudolph is the brother of Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Logan was originally slated to contribute as a freshman in 2017 but played in only two games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury and redshirting. Rudolph played in 14 games and made 13 tackles, with a tackle for loss in 2018, before moving into a starting role this season.
The State has reached out to Logan and his father Brett for additional comment about the decision and what’s next.
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 4:11 PM.
