Note: The following appears in the Troy football gameday program.
Senior Philip Florenzo has had anything but a traditional route into a spot on the Tiger roster. The Maryland native grew up playing multiple sports, and in high school, he planned to play college lacrosse.
“With lacrosse being as big as it is in Maryland, playing in college is everyone’s goal. It wasn’t until after my junior year that I drew football interest.”
Florenzo was being recruited as a linebacker and defensive end but was struggling to find the right fit while pursuing different schools.
“I was touring different colleges and my dad’s philosophy was to choose a school you love without playing sports, and anything that happens with football is a bonus. We toured every big school in the South, and Clemson stuck out.”
Florenzo began long snapping late into his high school career and knew it could help him make a college roster. After each of his visits, he had one last request from his father.
“I asked him if we could drive through Clemson one more time on the way back. We went to the lake, ate lunch at Loose Change and really got an idea of what the campus environment was like. I felt a sense of belonging here and knew it was where I wanted to be.”
After receiving his acceptance letter, his next goal was to walk on to the team.
“I sent a lot of emails and hadn’t heard back, but I knew it was something I wanted to do, so I kept trying.”
While working a job before his freshman year, he found a connection.
“One of my co-workers asked if I was trying to play at Clemson, and I told him I was. He knew President (Jim) Clements and wrote a letter on my behalf.”
Clements responded, and he later received an invitation to try out. After the tryout, he earned a spot on the team.
“That example alone speaks to how close the Clemson community is. My co-worker’s daughter went to Clemson, so it was a Clemson parent reaching out to the president of the school about a kid who wanted to walk on to the team. This place truly is a family and everyone really cares about each other.”
Since joining the team, he has played 42 games and has totaled 13 tackles and a recovered fumble on punt coverage, which he takes pride in.
“As a special teams group, we have to do everything we can to help the team win in the limited time that we’re on the field. I told myself I had to be a snapper that also excelled in punt coverage. I snap the ball and try to wreak havoc and make a play every once in a while.”
When asked about something he would want all Tiger fans to know about him, he expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support the team receives.
“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be a Tiger. This will always be a home away from home for me, and the people who support us make this place great. Having the blessing to run down the Hill every week, sing the alma mater and everything that comes with being on this team is a testament to how special this program and university are.”
As he continues his final year with the Tigers, he is soaking every moment in.
“I truly believe this will be a special season and the sky is the limit. I will definitely take a little extra time this year, whether I’m on the field or on the sidelines, to take in the environment. I’ll probably be a little slower running down the Hill the last few times.”
His priority after leaving Clemson is to play football at the next level, something he said Head Coach Dabo Swinney personally approached him about.
“In 2023, he said that I should be trying to play in the NFL. I approach it with the mindset that I could play football for the next 15 years or the next 12 games, and that could be it. I’m going to give it my all and see where I end up, but the goal is to get to do this for the foreseeable future.”
