Clemson running back Will Shipley announces decision on his future
Will Shipley is going pro.
The Clemson football junior running back announced Wednesday via social media that he’ll be declaring for the NFL Draft instead of returning for his 2024 senior season.
“I have decided to enter my name in the 2024 NFL draft,” he posted to X (formerly Twitter). “I am grateful for the last three years and am excited to see what the future holds! Although I am taking the next step of my journey, I will always be a Clemson Tiger!”
Shipley is primarily considered a Day 2 or Day 3 draft prospect and is not currently listed among ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper’s top 10 running backs in the class.
Shipley, one of the more productive running backs and all-purpose players in program history, had 827 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns as a junior working in tandem with Phil Mafah (965 yards). Clemson went 9-4 and finished this season with a win over Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.
Shipley suffered a scary-looking knee injury during that game last Friday on a kickoff return, but an MRI revealed there was no structural damage and Shipley will not need surgery.
The veteran back was initially non-committal on his future and didn’t rule out the possibility of transferring after taking part in Clemson’s senior day ceremonies in November. But last month he made it clear he’d either be returning to Clemson or going pro and would make that decision after the bowl game.
A former five-star recruit from the Charlotte area, Shipley leaves Clemson as one of only three FBS players to record at least 1,200 all-purpose yards in the last three seasons (2021-23) and one of only eight Tigers to rush for 30 career touchdowns.
His departure clears the way for Mafah to take over as a true No. 1 running back at Clemson if he decides to return for his senior year. Mafah told The State last week he’d made a decision on whether or not to enter the NFL Draft after the Gator Bowl and his decision was not tied to Shipley’s decision, or vice versa.
“The decision to attend Clemson University is the best one I’ve ever made,” Shipley said Wednesday in his social media post. “My Clemson experience has provided me with lifelong benefits and friendships, a confidence to excel in anything I pursue and an appreciate for a standard of excellence.”
This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 7:51 PM.
