Advertisement

Clemson football's latest commit might be best option to replace Will Shipley

Clemson football might have its best replacement for Will Shipley.

David Eziomume, a four-star running back considered by Rivals to be seventh-best in the country for the 2024 class, committed to Clemson this week ahead of his senior season at North Cobb in Kennesaw, Georgia. He made the announcement Wednesday on social media.

Clemson doesn’t have any four-star running backs behind Shipley (five) and Phil Mafah (four) as spring practice is set to begin Monday. Shipley rushed for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns last season as Clemson won the ACC and went to the Orange Bowl. He and Mafah (515 yards) could turn pro after their upcoming junior seasons.

Eziomume (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) had more than 30 offers from Power Five conference teams, including Southern Cal, Wisconsin, Penn State, Cincinnati and South Carolina. He said it came down to Clemson and hometown team Georgia Tech,

SPRING CHECKLIST: 5 things Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney must accomplish during spring practice

CHANGE OF DIRECTION: How 'under the radar' James Madison commit Jarvis Green landed with Clemson football

Eziomume would seemingly thrive as a pass-catcher out of the backfield in Clemson’s faster-paced offense under new coordinator Garrett Riley. Shipley last season had 38 catches, only three fewer than senior wideout Joseph Ngata. That number is sure to go up.

Clemson added a pair of three-star running backs during the early signing period for 2023. Neither is seen as being on the level of Eziomume, who is ranked No. 335 nationally for all positions. Jarvis Green from Duke Fork and Jamarius Haynes are not in the top 900.

Eziomume is Clemson’s fifth four-star commitment for the 2024 class. The Tigers also have tight end Christian Bentancur from Woodstock, Illinois; safety Tavoy Feagin of Tampa; safety Noah Dixon from LaGrange, Georgia; and defensive lineman Champ Thompson from Norcross, Georgia.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football commit could be Tigers best running back in 2024