Clemson football: Could Will Shipley take the starting job as a freshman?

The Clemson football running back group for the 2021 season is one of the deepest we’ve seen at the position in recent history.

The Tigers return several key veterans, including Lyn-J Dixon, Kobe Pace, Michel Dukes and Darien Rencher, while also adding two star-studded freshmen to the group in 5-star Will Shipley and 4-star Phil Mafah.

Following the spring, the depth of the position was absolutely confirmed and it seemed as if Dixon, Pace, Mafah and Shipley had separated themselves as a potential four-headed monster.

Could Clemson football fans see Will Shipley win the starting job as a freshman?

We’ve seen a sentiment among Clemson football fans- and it’s continuing to grow- that Will Shipley has the talent and skill to potentially take the starting spot before the end of the 2021 season.

While no one here is going to argue Shipley’s potential or talent, we’ll encourage you to pump the brakes just a hair as we prepare for the fall.

Travis Etienne turned out to be one of, if not, the greatest running back in Clemson history and he wasn’t the listed starter at the position during his freshman season.

Knowing what we know about the Tigers- even if C.J. Spiller is the new RBs Coach- it’s that we’re going to see the veterans get the first shake at it and we’re going to see running backs on the field more who can pass-protect. Typically, that’s the players who have been in the system longer.

That being said, I still think we’re going to see Shipley on the field quite a bit.

He’ll get a fair share of carries and likely will work in the slot, as well, as the Tigers try to use his play-making ability to their best advantage.

Will he be the starter by the end of the season? It’s not likely, but we’re not going to say it’s out of the question. We will absolutely say that he will be on the field quite a bit with or without the ‘starter tag.’