It’s been a busy offseason for James Clemens running back MJ Gideon.

But, a successful one.

The rising junior’s recruitment saw a heavy spike this offseason, with the running back most recently picking up an offer from Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss after attending a camp in Oxford, Miss.

The growing list of Division I offers for Gideon also includes Missouri, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Liberty, North Alabama, Alabama A&M and UT-Martin.

“I’ve been just traveling a lot all June, really,” said Gideon, who also attended camps at Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama this summer. “But, it’s been good. It’s been fun, just enjoying everything.”

Last season saw Gideon run the ball 126 times for 847 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore for the Jets, also hauling in eight catches for 110 yards.

Gideon will be a key returner for the Jets’ backfield, which graduated three-time all-state athlete Ty Doughty — now with Mercer — and senior running back Cam Berry, who signed with Carson-Newman.

The running back, who stands at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, has been encouraged by his recent pickup in recruitment following a standout sophomore year with the Jets.

“It feels amazing,” Gideon said. “I’ve always wanted to do this. This coming now, especially not playing my freshman season, is really good.”

Gideon said he has learned plenty from new James Clemens head coach Juan Johnson, who was previously an offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Hewitt-Trussville before spending last season at Baker.

“Anybody who knows anything about me knows I was a running back coach for many years,” Johnson said. “I’ve probably had, in my last 11 years, I want to say I’ve had 14 all-state running backs between my time at Hewitt and at Baker.”

Johnson has been encouraged by his running backs this offseason, with the room also adding former Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa back Christian Richey to its offense this offseason.

Richey, a fellow junior alongside Gideon, claimed all-state honors last season after racking up 1,301 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns for the Patriots. He holds Division I offers from North Alabama, Eastern Kentucky, Delaware State and UT-Martin.

“They’re really good people,” Johnson said. “They’ve got to go prove it, though: what’s on paper doesn’t really matter. You’ve got to go prove it every single Friday night.”

Gideon is confident the duo of running backs will be among the top — if not at the top — of the state this season.

James Clemens opens the season at Gardendale on Friday, Aug. 29, before its first game in Madison against archrival Bob Jones on Friday, Sept. 5.

“It’s going to help a lot, contribute to our team a whole lot, too,” Gideon said of the addition of Richey. “We’re very good together.”