How Clemson football plans to feed its 'three-headed monster' at running back

Todd Shanesy, Greenville News
·3 min read
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CLEMSON – How would you feed a three-headed monster?

Often.

That’s what Clemson would like to do when it unleashes running backs Will Shipley, Kobe Pace and Phil Mafah on the college football world this season.

“That three-headed monster back there, that’s a beast,” offensive lineman Walker Parks said. “... I think we have the best running back group in the nation.”

Clemson is whetting their appetites during preseason practice ahead of the fourth-ranked Tigers' Sept. 5 opener at Georgia Tech.

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Shipley is first-team preseason All-ACC after rushing for 11 touchdowns and 738 yards as a freshman despite missing three games.

Pace averaged 6.2 yards per carry (compared to Shipley’s 5.0) for 641 total as a sophomore, devouring Boston College (18 carries for 125 yards) and Wake Forest (24 for 191).

Mafah was supposed to be held back as the future No. 1 back but had to burn a freshman redshirt season because of injuries to the other two. He totaled 171 yards in the next four games, averaging 5.9 per carry. Pace and Mafah combined for 10 rushing touchdowns.

“We all bring something different. But at the same time, we can all do the same things,” Pace said. “We can all run past you. We can all run over you. We can all make you miss in space.”

Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) during practice at the Poe Indoor Facility in Clemson Monday, August 8, 2022.
Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) during practice at the Poe Indoor Facility in Clemson Monday, August 8, 2022.

“When you talk about me, Kobe and Phil, it’s a special, special group,” Shipley said. “We’re holding each other to a standard. We love each other, but we’re also competing out there, not necessarily competing against each other but competing for each other.”

Mafah figures he is third in line for carries. But last preseason, he wasn't even in the picture. By spring, he was the lead running back because of injuries.

"We all need to be there to have a successful backfield," Mafah said.

"I don't care who has the most carries," Pace said. "I'd rather see all my brothers in the room feast."

Clemson running backs coach C.J. Spiller (center) has an abundance of riches at the start of the 2022 season.
Clemson running backs coach C.J. Spiller (center) has an abundance of riches at the start of the 2022 season.

Running backs coach C.J. Spiller charts all the snaps during preseason, making sure none of the three get overworked. But when it comes to the opening game at Georgia Tech, plays won't be divided evenly.

"Three great guys and only one can run out there. All those guys understand that," Spiller said. "It's a great, healthy competition in there. All those guys prepare as if they are the one that's going to run out there first. It's a violent game. You're always one play away from being the starter. It's one thing to have depth, but if guys aren't prepared, it means nothing."

"I'll just let C.J. roll them in there," coach Dabo Swinney said. "Somebody will get hot, I'm sure. We've got three really special players. It's a good situation. All three of those guys will make huge plays for the Tigers this year."

Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: How will Clemson football feed multiple options at running back in 2022?