How Clemson football running back Will Shipley is 'one up' on C.J. Spiller's highlight reel
CLEMSON – C.J. Spiller’s career as a running back at Clemson was filled with highlight-reel plays. However, the Tigers’ third-year running backs coach admitted Monday that he has nothing he can produce to compare to Will Shipley’s hurdling of a Louisville defender last November.
“I ain’t got that on tape, so he’s one up on me,” Spiller said. “I tried to jump over a guy against Maryland – I think I landed on my neck – and I said that will be the last time I jump over someone.”
Spiller is willing to bet that plenty more highlights are in Shipley’s future, and says that Shipley has performed in spring practice like he’s a rookie in search of playing time.
In truth, the 5-foot-11 Shipley is coming off a sophomore season in which he rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 38 passes for 242 yards. He also returned 14 kickoffs for 324 yards and became the first player in ACC history to be a first-team All-ACC selection in three different categories – running back, all-purpose and specialist.
Yet he’s entered spring practice on a mission. His primary goal?
“Knocking some of those long runs in,” Shipley said. “I left too many on the table last year.”
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Shipley also is showing even more potential for involvement in the passing game what with new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley in the fold.
“Being used in different ways is kind of what I came here to do,” Shipley said. “Coach Riley setting me out and trying different things has been pretty cool for me. I think I can add a whole new dimension to this offense and we’ve really seen it thus far this spring.”
Not that Riley is going to eschew the running game. In fact, he had a 1,400-yard rusher last season at TCU.
“Coach Riley is going to get the playmakers the ball,” Spiller said. “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about. When it’s all said and done, you have to run the football.
"When it’s time to win championships and control the clock and all that, you have to be able to run the football, and I think we have a great group of guys who can do just that. We’re not worried that we’re not going to run the ball. Trust me, I’m not losing any sleep about that.”
Particularly with an eager Will Shipley in the backfield.
“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Spiller said. “This kid plays with a competitive edge that you have to match, and if you don’t match it, it’s going to be very hard for you. It’s just that competitive fire, how he goes at you.
"He’s very humble, but when he steps on the field, that kid is all about winning and he’s going to do whatever it takes to win. He’s going to push everybody around him to be better. That’s a sign of a great teammate. I’m just very appreciative that I get to be his coach.”
Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football assistant C.J. Spiller expecting more from Will Shipley
