The Clemson Tigers will play their spring football game on Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. The game will be televised by the ACC Network.
When: April 9 at 1 PM, Clemson Memorial Stadium
Position Coach: CJ Spiller – Coach Spiller’s first season on the coaching staff in 2021 tested him early. He eventually settled on Clemson’s young running backs over the more experienced options, and that decision paid off over the course of the season. Now the running back room looks to be the strength of the offense, and the Tigers will count on the ground game to power Clemson’s attack.
Who is playing: Phil Mafah (SO)
Who isn’t playing: Will Shipley (SO), Kobe Pace (JR), Keith Adams (FR)
Will Shipley pic.twitter.com/IzFZ2A6e2G
— Seldom Used Reserve (@seldomusedres) January 26, 2022
What we can expect for the spring game: You can expect a lot of Mafah. Coach Streeter is excited for this opportunity for Mafah to get significant work with Shipley & Pace recovering from offseason surgeries. There are multiple walk-ons following in the footsteps of the now-departed Darien Rencher who will get playing time in the spring game, including redshirt freshman Kevin McNeal and redshirt sophomore Domonique Thomas.
Phil Mafah pic.twitter.com/3wHJrxM5AY
— Seldom Used Reserve (@seldomusedres) February 7, 2022
What we can expect for next season: The coaches are not concerned about Shipley & Pace missing spring practice, and fully expect them to be ready to play when fall camp opens. Depth at running back is a concern for the Tigers in 2022, so the opportunity for Mafah to get more reps than expected this spring is a big plus.
Clemson RBs Will Shipley and Kobe Pace are both in yellow jerseys for the spring for injured players, Dabo Swinney says. Should be full go by May. Same with WR E.J. Williams.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) March 2, 2022
The ideal scenario for Clemson is for Shipley, Pace and Mafah to get the majority of playing time in the backfield this season. Success running the ball will take pressure off the passing game this season. Injuries are a concern, as neither Shipley nor Pace made it through the 2021 campaign without missing games.
Kobe Pace pic.twitter.com/fAlKk06E49
— Seldom Used Reserve (@seldomusedres) February 2, 2022
Newcomer Keith Adams Jr., the son of Clemson linebacker great Keith Adams Sr, did not enroll early, and will join the team over the summer. Analysts view Adams as a developmental player, but Clemson could call upon him early if injuries mount up.
If multiple players elect to enter the transfer portal after the spring game, there is a chance that a walk-on running back may be awarded a scholarship. They will have ample opportunity to impress on April 9th.
The progress of the offensive line will also determine how successful the running backs can be in 2022. If the line continues their improvement from the latter half of the 2021 season, it will open the door for the three-headed monster of Shipley, Pace & Mafah to lead the Clemson offensive attack.