Since flashing his athleticism by impressively hurdling a defender in his first Clemson football spring game three years ago, Phil Mafah has patiently bided his time, waiting on his opportunity to have a breakout season.
That time came last year when the junior led the team in rushing yards and touchdowns. Now he’s poised for more.
“Phil is Phil,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “He’s patient. It’s just fun to watch him where he is right now and how he’s evolved.”
So what’s for an encore in 2024?
How about more of the same, including a 1,000-yard season and an All-ACC selection.
Here’s why Mafah is a good bet to accomplish both:
Clemson's Phil Mafah can be a workhorse
At 230 pounds, Mafah is built to absorb blows as well as deliver them.
As the biggest running back that Clemson has had in its stable since 235-pound Jamie Harper in 2010, Mafah is plenty capable of handling a heavy workload.
Mafah flashed his potential in that regard in last season’s victory against Notre Dame, rushing for 186 yards and two touchdowns on a school-record-tying 36 carries.
One could envision him having multiple games of that sort this fall.
Phil Mafah will be Dabo Swinney's undisputed No. 1 running back
The Tigers have several candidates bidding to become the No. 2 running back, but all are unproven, so entering fall practice there’s no clear backup behind Mafah. Keith Adams Jr. was afforded a lot of work in spring practices and may be the leader in the clubhouse, but don't expect him to wrest many carries away from Mafah.
Last season Mafah split carries with roommate and backfield mate Will Shipley. But despite receiving three fewer starts than Shipley, Mafah outrushed him, 965-827, and scored 13 touchdowns to Shipley’s five.
Clemson's offensive line will be improved
The Tigers return everyone on the offensive front save for center Will Putnam, so the line should be a team strength.
The returning starters set to open holes for Mafah include Walker Parks, Blake Miller, Tristan Leigh and Marcus Tate, who have a cumulative 93 career starts to their credit. All are expected to maximize their talent under new offensive line coach Matt Luke, who was hired in December.
“The one thing I love about Coach Luke is his intensity,” said Miller, who was a third-team All-ACC selection last season. “He definitely brings that contagious energy. It makes everyone else have that energy, too.”
Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ScottKeepfer
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Why Clemson football running back Phil Mafah will rush for 1,000 yards in 2024
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