Junior righthander who was one of Clemson’s top relievers in 2020 and 2021 … was a weekend starter during the first half of 2022 … in 78.0 innings pitched over 36 appearances (10 starts) and three seasons, he has a 7-3 record, one save and a 4.50 ERA while allowing 79 hits (.258 opponents’ batting average) and 31 walks with 71 strikeouts.
2022: ACC Academic Honor Roll member … had an 0-1 record and a 5.97 ERA in 12 appearances (nine starts) … in 31.2 innings pitched, he allowed 40 hits (.301 opponents’ batting average) and 15 walks with 23 strikeouts … pitched 4.2 innings in a starting role, allowing four hits, one run and one walk with four strikeouts against South Carolina on March 6 … pitched 4.2 innings in a starting role, allowing three hits and one earned run with two strikeouts against No. 23 Miami (Fla.) on March 20 … pitched 3.0 innings in a starting role, allowing two hits and no earned runs with two strikeouts at No. 6 Notre Dame on April 10.
2021: Had a 6-2 record and a 4.30 ERA in 18 appearances (one start) … in 37.2 innings pitched, he allowed 35 hits (.241 opponents’ batting average) and 12 walks with 40 strikeouts … tied for ninth in the ACC in wins … led the team in wins … allowed only one steal in three attempts … pitched 2.1 innings in relief, allowing two hits and no walks with five strikeouts to earn the win against East Tennessee State on March 2 … pitched 1.1 perfect innings in relief against USC Upstate on March 9 … pitched 2.1 perfect innings in relief with five strikeouts against Georgia State on March 16 … pitched 3.0 innings in relief, allowing one hit, no runs and no walks with three strikeouts against No. 13 Virginia Tech on March 21 … pitched 1.1 innings in relief, allowing one hit with two strikeouts to earn the win against Georgia Southern at North Augusta, S.C. on March 23 … pitched 2.1 innings in relief, allowing one hit and no runs with two strikeouts to earn the win in the first game of a doubleheader against Boston College on March 27 … pitched 4.0 innings in relief, allowing two hits and no runs with four strikeouts to earn the win at NC State on April 2 … pitched 2.0 innings in relief, allowing one hit, no runs and no walks with one strikeout against Virginia on April 11 … pitched 1.1 innings in relief, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout to earn the win in the first game of a doubleheader against Wake Forest on April 25 … pitched 4.0 innings in relief, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks with two strikeouts to earn the win against USC Upstate on May 5 … played for Wareham in the Cape Cod League in the summer, where he had a 3.43 ERA and 15 strikeouts against five walks in 18.1 innings pitched over five appearances (four starts).
2020: Received a redshirt from the NCAA with the season’s suspension on March 12 and cancellation due to a coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic … had a 1-0 record, one save and an 0.00 ERA in six relief appearances … in 8.2 innings pitched, he allowed four hits (.143 opponents’ batting average), no homers and four walks with eight strikeouts … did not allow a steal in four attempts … did not allow an extra-base hit … allowed only two of his nine inherited baserunners to score … held lefthanded batters to 0-for-12 with one walk and four strikeouts … held opponents to 1-for-15 (.067) with runners on base, 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-9 with two outs … pitched 2.0 innings in relief, allowing one hit and no runs with two strikeouts to record the save against Liberty on Feb. 15; was his first career appearance … pitched 2.0 innings in relief, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks with three strikeouts to earn his first career win against Stony Brook on Feb. 22 … pitched 2.1 innings in relief, allowing no hits and no earned runs with one strikeout against Winthrop on March 11 … No. 36 freshman in the nation in the preseason by Perfect Game … No. 8 freshman in the ACC in the preseason by Perfect Game.
Before Clemson: All-state selection … region pitcher-of-the-year … team MVP … lettered four times in baseball at York Comprehensive High School, where he was coached by Eddie Tisdale and Tripper Crisson.
Personal: His cousins, Chad and Drew, played baseball at USC Lancaster … majoring in parks, recreation & tourism management … born Nicholas Bryant Clayton on April 10, 2001 in York, S.C. •
Favorite hobbies – Golfing, hunting and hanging out with friends•
One fact that most people don’t know – Used to play the piano at a young age•
Favorite food or candy – Bacon-wrapped duck and sour punch straws•
Ideal vacation spot – Australia•
Childhood hero – His father•
One person, living or dead, to eat dinner with – LeBron James

*Courtesy Clemson Media Guide