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Clemson Football: Three questions about the running backs

By John Chancey

Sep 5, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Phil Mafah (26) runs with the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Phil Mafah (26) runs with the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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It seemed a simple conclusion that the strongest element of the Clemson Football offense in 2022 was the running backs.

Apparently, some members of the coaching staff missed that memo.

Clemson’s opponents didn’t miss that detail. They tended to scheme to stop the run. In response, Clemson tended to not put the ball in the hands of the running backs and tried to throw the ball.

Early in the season, the offense had some success. As time went on, that strategy failed. Even when the running backs appeared to be having success, the ball wasn’t going to them consistently.

That is why Dabo Swinney made a change at coordinator and brought in Garrett Riley. On the surface, Riley’s scheme falls into the air raid category, which would suggest the running backs won’t be the focus.

Riley insists that won’t be the case. He asserts that his offense is based on dominating up front and running the football.

Here are the roster expectations as we approach fall camp.

  • Expected starter: Will Shipley (Jr)
  • Depth: Domonique Thomas (RS Jr), Phil Mafah (Jr), Keith Adams (RS Fr), Jarvis Green (Fr), Jay Haynes (Fr)
  • Walk-ons: Tristan Rigby (RS So), Wise Segars, Jr. (RS So), Kevin McNeal (RS So), Peyton Streko (Fr)

Here are three questions about the 2023 running backs.

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