Note: The following appears in the Charleston Southern football digital gameday guide, available HERE.
Quarterback Trent Pearman went to high school less than five miles from Death Valley, with his family's home only an eight-minute drive from the Clemson football facilities, so playing for the Tigers was a no-brainer.
"Everything I know and love is here,” said Pearman. “I was pretty much raised here, so to play and wear the paw means the world to me.”
He spoke about what led him to choose the quarterback position, a choice he made at a young age.
"Off the field, I'm not a control freak, but I like to have control over a lot of things, and I'm pretty OCD and Type A, so growing up I knew the quarterback had control over how the game was going to go and how it was going to play out. I fell in love with the position and the responsibilities and control it comes with.”
Even from a young age, Pearman had great insight into where his strengths were and used his abilities to put him in a position where he could excel.
In 2023 against Florida Atlantic, Pearman took his first steps onto the field as a Tiger in Death Valley.
"I got a couple of reps in practice, but minimal, so those were my first college reps. I remember being a little nervous and having some butterflies, but at the end of the day, football is football.”
Pearman recapped the game ending with the following.
"It was really cool. I was a little nervous, but it was really exciting.”
He understood what he was asked to do during his debut game, and while having some nerves, he kept his composure.
Looking back on who he was when he first started at Clemson compared to where he is now, Pearman reflected on his time and where he believes he has grown the most on and off the field.
"I've learned a lot of football through the coaches. In my five years, I have had three offensive coaches, so taking bits and pieces from each of them and also different perspectives of football through them has been awesome and shaped me into the football player I am.”
Pearman spoke highly of his coaches during his time as a player, but off the field, he strengthened another calling.
"I have grown a lot in my faith. Not to say before I wasn't, but just alone, actually having to apply it myself into my life and being an adult, that's where I've grown the most."
Growing up in Clemson and now being a player on the team for the past five years, he has experienced multiple Clemson vs. South Carolina rivalry games.
"It's different from any other game. People say you have to treat each game the same, but rivalry games are different, especially Clemson vs. South Carolina, because if you live in this state, everyone chooses a side.
“From a preparation standpoint, it's not any different. You are doing the same things we always do to win a game. You definitely feel the heat of the state and the rivalry. I am 0-2 at home versus them, so I would love to win this one more than any other game on our schedule."
Looking at what is next for Pearman and advice he will take with him in his future, he mentioned a memorable quote from Head Coach Dabo Swinney.
"Where your focus goes, your energy flows. I really do believe that if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish just about anything you want, and for me, that's kind of my life story."
Pearman graduated from Clemson with a degree in marketing, then decided to remain in Tigertown and continue his education, working towards his MBA.
"I love Clemson, and I wanted to stay here. I could not see myself leaving and transferring to play for anybody else, and it came down to looking at my future, and an MBA from Clemson would be an awesome accomplishment. My dad got his MBA from Clemson, so it's cool we will both have that done."
On top of earning his degree and working towards his MBA, Pearman also participates in P.A.W. Journey. He has had great opportunities through the program, such as an internship with GALLO and a service trip abroad to Australia.
"P.A.W. Journey is awesome. It’s unbelievable what they do for us off the field. I can't speak more highly of P.A.W. Journey."
He reflected on what legacy he hopes to leave behind after his time as a player and student.
"If someone asks, 'What do you think of Trent Pearman?' they can speak upon me as a person more than a player. That would be cool for them to say he was a good football player, but I hope they can speak on my character in a positive way. The ultimate thing for me is how I treat people, and hopefully down the road it benefits in a way that helps somebody out."
Pearman's one word to describe Team 131 is “gritty."
"I think we are blue collar and gritty. We keep are heads down and show up each week."
Pearman's selflessness shone through multiple times as he mentioned his coaches, teammates, family and faith, consistently expressing his immense gratitude for it all. His composure and ability to make light of every situation are inspiring, both great attributes for a strong leader.
The following quote from Pearman sums up his personality, character, loyalty and dedication better than anything else.
”I love Coach Swinney, I love Clemson and I am a Clemson man."