The Clemson Tigers received some unwelcoming news a couple of weeks ago; highly rated running back Demarckus Bowman entered the transfer portal and is likely headed back to Florida. Bowman is likely headed to the Florida Gators but in any event, he won’t be in Clemson next year as the heir apparent to the current Clemson star running back, Travis Etienne.
Now for the good news. Weddington High School RB Will Shipley, a 5-star running back committed to Clemson, has decided to forego his senior year of high school and enroll in January 2021. Shipley will join 4-star running back Phil Mafah in the Clemson backfield in 2021.
The backfield returns four running backs for the 2021 season, led by Lyn-J Dixon, Chez Mellusi, Kobe Pace, and Mikey Dukes. Travis Etienne will naturally be off to the NFL and Darren Rencher will also graduate after a productive 2021 season. Adding Shipley and Mafah to the mix just gives Clemson an embarrassment of riches.
Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott finally implemented the running backs into the passing game last year and Etienne excelled. Etienne, through 5 games, has 19 receptions for 274 yards and one touchdown. Not only did Shipley rush for over 2000 yards in 2019, he also caught 34 passes for 592 yards and 8 touchdowns. Mafah, a star running back in his own right, is lighting it up at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA in his senior season. Through 6 games, Mafah has rushed the ball 95 times for 834 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Tigers will lose Etienne but Clemson fans are getting used to this one word —– reload. Hold on to your seats, Shipley and Mafah are on the way.
