Clemson lures kicker out of retirement ahead of showdown vs. Florida State

The former walk-on officially unretired on Sunday, but he's actually never attempted a field goal with the Tigers despite being on the roster from 2019-22, per Christina Long of the Greenville News. Weitz previously served as the backup to B.T. Potter and appeared in seven games, going 3-for-3 on extra points during his first stint with Clemson.

He still has one more year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, Weitz "just rented an apartment" in New York, according to head coach Dabo Swinney, as he was preparing to start a new job in October. Weitz is reportedly on track to graduate with a master's degree in December.

According to Raynor's report, Swinney wasn't aware that Weitz was still enrolled at Clemson until someone informed him over the weekend. Swinney and Weitz chatted on Sunday afternoon, with the coach "joking that Clemson was pulling him off the beach" and "floated the idea" of returning.

"He spent the whole spring in France studying abroad and hanging out at the Eiffel Tower. Had a great summer and has his life planned out," the coach said. "He starts his job in two weeks … and he gets a call from coach Swinney on Sunday (saying), ‘Hey, you wanna come up and kick against the ‘Noles this weekend?’ He’s just crazy enough to want to do it. And might be what we need right now."

When the graduate student and his former coach talked, the former admitted that he hadn't kicked a football since April. On Monday, Weitz went 7-for-8 in practice, according to Swinney.

"It’s either gonna be a great story, or it’s gonna be terrible. It’s not gonna be anything in between," the coach said. "I hope (Saturday) doesn’t come down to a kick. I don’t know if my heart can take that."

Redshirt freshman Robert Gunn III is the Tigers normal starter but has struggled in the early part of the season.

He missed an extra point and a 31-yard field goal in Saturday's contest against Florida Atlantic. Gunn is now 1-for-4 on field goals through three games, while going 14-for-15 on extra points.

"He's just been in a little bit of a funk," Swinney said. "This is a great kid who really cares a lot, but sometimes you just need to catch your breath."

The coach added that Gunn will still be responsible for kickoffs and likely try the longer field goals.

"If we had to kick a long one, Robert, he's definitely your best option there," Swinney said. "But we just need somebody who makes layups now."