Clemson Football: Looking ahead at the 2024 running back room after Will Shipley's departure

With Will Shipley's entry into the NFL Draft, Phil Mafah becomes the feature back for Clemson in 2024, but the Tigers rarely use one rusher exclusively. Here are the options to find playing time behind Mafah next season.

Clemson running back Jay Hayes (26) runs against Kentucky during the fourth quarter of the TaxSlayer Bowl
Clemson running back Jay Hayes (26) runs against Kentucky during the fourth quarter of the TaxSlayer Bowl | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Jarvis Green

Jarvis Green was a 3-star prospect like Haynes. He was one of the most productive high school football players in the history of South Carolina prep football with over 6,000 career all-purpose yards and 91 touchdowns at Dutch Fork High School.

Green saw action in two games in 2023, and like Haynes, a lot of it was simply due to the experience ahead of him in the running back room. As a result, we aren’t really sure yet what his potential is at running back.

He will get his opportunity this spring. Green figures to be one of the four main players at running back for the Tigers along with Mafah, Adams, and Haynes. He should get plenty of reps and be part of the two-deep in the spring game.

Green might also figure into the Tigers' plans on special teams. Lost in the shuffle of Shipley’s departure to the NFL is the reality that the Tigers will have to fill in his spot as a kick returner.

Green’s main highlight of the 2023 season was a 36-yard kick return against Florida Atlantic. Green will likely be competing with Misun Kelley to join Tyler Brown on return duties on the depth chart in 2024.

There will also be a true freshman competing this spring who has some serious speed.