The run game was a venture for Clemson football in 2023. Early on, it was efficient until it needed to be.

When judging the running backs, it has to start with the turnover issues. The Tigers likely don’t start its season with a loss if it wasn’t for costly fumbles. Phil Mafah lost one at the one-yard line, and it ended up a 14-point swing.

Disaster struck again in Miami when Will Shipley fumbled at the goal line in the first quarter. That also resulted in a 14-point swing. Now that most of the struggles are out of the way, we have to talk about the importance of the Clemson running back duo.

Shipley finished the season with 827 rushing yards and five touchdowns to go with 244 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Injuries plagued him at times, and it was a result of hard hits that should’ve been flagged on multiple occasions. Still, we saw clear improvement from Shipley as a receiver, something that will serve him well at the NFL level.

Previously playing behind him, Mafah stepped in and proved what he can be: a bruiser than can still hit home-runs in the open field. 965 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns are both career-highs.

It’s important to mention that the Tigers were constantly shifting on the offensive line and dealt with multiple injuries to starters up front. Just imagine what could’ve been with better injury luck so the Clemson stable could run rampant.

Still, it was Shipley and Mafah making the plays when it mattered. Against South Carolina, the two combined for 169 rushing yards and commanded the game on the ground. The same can be said for the win over ranked North Carolina.

That was Shipley’s best game of the year, rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown while adding 53 yards as a receiver.

Then we go to the closing act as Shipley went down with injury in the Gator Bowl as Mafah became the nail in Kentucky’s coffin with four touchdowns. Yes, it wasn’t a perfect year for either but the constant growth of the run game earns this duo a strong grade.

Final Clemson RB Grade: B