One of the toughest Clemson football players in recent memory has said his goodbye to the fans who supported him over the past four seasons. Monday, senior running back Phil Mafah sent out a social media post in which he thanked Clemson fans, his family, his teammates, and the football staff.
"My time at Clemson has helped shape me into the man I am today," his post reads in part, "and will help me for years to come. I also want to say thank you to the fans that have supported us from the beginning. "
Mafah then writes that he is looking forward to turning his attention to the 2025 NFL Draft. Though it is early in the process, some sites have him projected as a fifth-round selection, though that could change as the draft preparation process plays out.
A 4-star prospect in the class of 2021 from Loganville, Georgia, he was a top-200 player nationally when he arrived on campus. Due to injuries that fall, he was pressed into action as a true freshman when he ran for 292 yards and three touchdowns in nine games played.
The next season, he saw action in all 14 games as a sophomore. Rushing for 515 yards and four TDs on 98 carries, he became one of the program's top offensive options.
In 2023, he had a breakout season when he put up 965 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 13 games. Along the way, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
He and teammate Will Shipley became just Clemson’s fifth set of teammates since 1948 to each surpass 800 rushing yards in a season. They were Clemson’s first pair of backs to accomplish the feat since James Davis and C.J. Spiller in 2007.
This season, Mafah became the go-to option at running back for the Tigers. Despite playing through a shoulder injury that hampered him for most of the second half of the season, he ran for 1,115 yards on eight touchdowns. That earned him third-team All-ACC honors.
Mafah leaves large shoes to fill for the Tigers not only on the field but in the locker room where he was one of the program's most respected leaders. Clemson fans were fortunate to have him represent the program and now wish him nothing but the best of luck as he heads to the NFL.