2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Will Shipley, RB Clemson
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Will Shipley, a 5-star prospect from Weddington, North Carolina. He was so good in high school that he committed to Clemson University in his junior season. Without playing his season due to Covid scheduling issues, Shipley ended his career at Weddington High School with over 5500 combined rushing and receiving yards and 80 touchdowns.
While starting just 5 games in his freshman year at Clemson, Shipley showed promise. He broke out in his sophomore campaign, with 1182 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns, adding 248 yards receiving on 38 receptions.
Unfortunately for Shipley, running mate Phil Mafah came on last year, splitting rushing duties, dominating goal line work, and earning a share of receiving duties as well. When all was said and done, Shipley ended his final collegiate season with just 1071 total yards and only 7 touchdowns.
Measurables
Height: 5’11” (57th-percentile)
Weight: 210 lbs (41st-percentile)
Age: 21.5
Class: Junior
NCAA Statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2021 | Clemson | ACC | FR | RB | 10 | 149 | 739 | 5.0 | 11 | 16 | 116 | 7.3 | 0 | 165 | 855 | 5.2 | 11 |
| *2022 | Clemson | ACC | SO | 14 | 210 | 1182 | 5.6 | 15 | 38 | 242 | 6.4 | 0 | 248 | 1424 | 5.7 | 15 | |
| *2023 | Clemson | ACC | JR | RB | 12 | 167 | 827 | 5.0 | 5 | 31 | 244 | 7.9 | 2 | 198 | 1071 | 5.4 | 7 |
| Career | Clemson | 526 | 2748 | 5.2 | 31 | 85 | 602 | 7.1 | 2 | 611 | 3350 | 5.5 | 33 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Fluid receiver who works well in space
- Fast, with a quick gear to help him accelerate and get outside the tackle box
- Shifty in the open field
- Quick feet in and out of his cuts with decent vision
- Stretches the field well horizontally in the screen game
Weaknesses
- Not a powerful runner. Often goes down on first contact
- Unlikely to be useful in pass-protection
- Ball security needs work
- Not an elite athlete
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Late 4th/Early 5th
Ideal Landing Spot: Kansas City Chiefs
Even with Isiah Pacheco locked up for two more years, Shipley has the opportunity to be productive in a lesser role to begin his career if he ends up in Kansas City. Jerick McKinnon is a free agent once again, leaving his valuable, if sporadic, role up for grabs.
For Shipley, he’ll need to work on his pass-blocking and inside running ability at the next level. Working in the same backfield as Patrick Mahomes and behind a good offensive line is a great way for him to develop, especially as Pacheco handles the load. In the passing game, he’ll be an immediate asset that provides a game planning advantage and a situational weapon.
Shipley has plenty to work on, but getting into an organization that already has plenty of pieces ahead of him will allow for proper development. As an average positional prospect in a subpar RB draft class, this is likely the best-case scenario to begin his career.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Will Shipley below.
