Could Will Shipley transfer? Clemson tailback addresses future after senior day
Clemson running back Will Shipley has openly acknowledged the “opportunities” that are there for him after he completes his junior season.
On top of entering the NFL Draft, could that perhaps include transferring?
Shipley said it’s too early to tell.
Speaking after Clemson’s 31-20 upset win over No. 20 UNC on Saturday, Shipley said he chose to participate in the program’s senior day festivities because leading into the contest he “hadn’t put enough thought” into a decision on his future after three years at the school.
Shipley had the option to take part in senior day ceremonies because he’s an “academic senior,” meaning he’s set to graduate from Clemson in three years this December. And he certainly made the most of his potential final game in Death Valley, going for a season-high 179 all-purpose yards as the Tigers (7-4, 4-4 ACC) won their third straight game.
“I think that the opportunity is going to present itself at the end of the season,” he said. “Still haven’t put enough thought into it, and there’s no decision made. But if I do decide to take that route, I didn’t want to regret missing that opportunity here in Death Valley. I didn’t want my parents to miss the opportunity here in Death Valley.”
“I think it just goes back to knowing the opportunity’s gonna be there at the end of the season and just not wanting to miss out on anything or regret not doing something.”
Asked directly if the opportunities he was referencing meant declaring for the NFL Draft, transferring or something else, Shipley said: “I wish I could tell you the answer. I really haven’t put enough thought into it. Like I said, I’ve been trying to give my all to this university. But looking forward, we gotta beat South Carolina and see what bowl we get into and then (I’ll) kind of think a little bit more about it, talk with my family and just move forward.”
Shipley on Saturday had a season-high 126 rushing yards and a career-high-tying 53 receiving yards. His 33-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter put Clemson up 28-14 on UNC in what ended up being the Tigers’ second upset of a ranked opponent at home in three weeks.
That helped Shipley offset an early fumble he had inside the 10-yard line to stop a Clemson scoring drive and significantly outperform his season average for rushing yards (65.8 per game).
But Shipley also started a second straight game on the bench as co-starting running back Phil Mafah trotted out with the first-team offense. Mafah — who broke out against Notre Dame two weeks ago with Shipley injured — had 23 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Even though Shipley and Mafah have said they have a great relationship — they’re currently roommates — Mafah’s emergence has prompted fans on social media to wonder if Shipley might look beyond Clemson this offseason.
Those rumors ramped up a notch Tuesday when Shipley, during a weekly media availability, was noncommittal on returning to Clemson next season.
“I’ve definitely thought a little bit about it,” Shipley said Nov. 14. “It’s something that is inevitable, just the opportunities that are there after this season. Haven’t put enough thought into it, so I wouldn’t be able to give you a great answer right now. It’s definitely going to be something that’s going to be weighing on me, but my team deserves my full attention.”
Shipley, a reigning All-ACC running back and returner who’s one of only 10 players in Clemson history to record over 4,000 career all-purpose yards, could enter the 2024 NFL Draft early after his junior season concludes. But he’s not considered a high-round prospect and wasn’t listed among the top 10 running backs on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s latest big board.
That has fueled speculation Shipley could leave Clemson for another school such as N.C. State, where the Weddington native has deep roots — including 26 graduates from the school on his mom’s side of the family alone.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said postgame he’d love for Shipley to return to Clemson for his 2024 senior year but Shipley is a “special talent” and will be a “great pro” that NFL coaches will love. Clemson will support Shipley’s decision no matter what, Swinney said.
“I hope he comes back,” Swinney said. “We’ve kinda hit our stride with him and Mafah, right? … They’ve kinda found themselves. They both know who they are, they complement each other well and they’re a problem — they’re a load to handle for four quarters.”
Shipley made it clear multiple times during a postgame interview session that he’s locked in on the present, which means next week’s game at rival South Carolina. But if Saturday’s game was his last in Death Valley, what would he want fans to remember?
“Just that every time I stepped on that field I just gave it everything I had,” he said. “And not just for my teammates or for my coaches but also for every one of them.”
Next Clemson game
Who: Clemson (7-4, 4-4 ACC) at South Carolina (5-6, 3-5 SEC)
When: 7:30 p.m. next Saturday
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia
TV: SEC Network
Line: Clemson by 7.5
This story was originally published November 19, 2023 at 6:30 AM.
