Last year, the running back room went 5 deep, with Lyn-J Dixon expected to step up and lead this group. Everyone knows, this did not happen. Dixon and fellow RB Michel Dukes took the transfer route early on and by season’s end, one sophomore and two true freshmen took the bull by the horns and finished the season in good fashion.
Due to the defection of Dukes, the Tigers will go into this spring very thin in numbers. Sophomore Kobe Pace and freshmen Will Shipley and Phil Mafah ARE the only scholarship running backs on the team. This is a very talented 3-headed monster but it lacks depth. What will we see in the spring?
Running backs on the current roster include freshman walk-on Tristen Rigby, freshman walk-on Wise Segers, Jr., and freshman walk-on Kevin McNeal.
Segers, 6-1 195 (#32), was the leading rusher for Daniel High School last year, gaining 514 yards on 87 carries, scoring 8 touchdowns. While we may not see him much during the season, he should get reps in the spring game.
Rigby, 5-10 200, played linebacker and fullback for Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He joined Clemson as a walk-on in 2021.
Kevin McNeal, 5-9 195, joined Clemson as a walk-on also in 2021. He played sparingly in only two games last year.
Basically, there is a serious lack of scholarship running backs on this team, and the Tigers are hoping to add at least one if not two backs on signing day in February. It’s not going to help in the spring but fall practice could see an addition or two.
One such prospect is Andrew Paul out of the state of Texas. Paul, 5-11 220, is an up and coming name on the recruiting trail. Clemson offered on January 6th. Since that offer, Notre Dame, Oregon and Michigan have also reached out to him. As a senior, he rushed for over 2600+ yards and 41 touchdowns. Landing Paul would be what the doctor ordered for this group.
An intriguing prospect is a Clemson legacy, the son of former Tiger LB Keith Adams, Jr out of the state of Utah. Adams, 5-10 215, is ranked as the #1 player in the state, and rushed for almost 1400 yards and 24 total touchdowns. He will announce his intentions on February 2nd when he will choose between Clemson, Air Force, Marshall and USF. The combination of Paul/Adams would bring instant talent to the backfield.
The offense is looking to rebound in 2022, and get off to a better start. The running game improved the last half of the season as the offensive line started to get it’s act together. Look for the spring to see less emphasis on the actual run game and more focus on getting the backs involved more in the passing game. It’s gonna be fun.
