Mafah on What It’d Mean to Make NFL Draft History with Panthers

Phil Mafah didn’t realize that no Clemson player has ever been drafted by the Carolina Panthers in their franchise’s history.

That was, until Mafah was informed of that fact by Mike Kaye, who covers the Panthers for The Charlotte Observer.

“Oh wow!” Mafah said, via Kaye.

Kaye is covering East-West Shrine Bowl practice, which began on Saturday ahead of Thursday’s game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mafah is on hand for the Shrine Bowl after accepting his invite to that college football all-star game last month.

Looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft in April, Kaye asked Mafah what it would mean to him if he were to become the first Clemson player ever drafted by the Panthers.

“It’d be amazing just to make that history and be in Charlotte,” Mafah said, via Kaye. “I know it’s a great city, they have great fans, and I’d be blessed to have that opportunity.”

A punishing workhorse running back, Mafah earned third-team All-ACC honors as a graduate senior in 2024, when he rushed 216 times for 1,115 yards with eight touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 103 yards over 14 games (all starts).

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder was hampered all year by a shoulder injury but still recorded the 24th 1,000-yard rushing season in Clemson history, and his 1,115 yards ranked 14th in a season in school history. He posted 981 rushing yards and eight touchdowns over the Tigers’ first nine games of the season before being severely limited down the stretch.

Mafah underwent postseason surgery to repair his torn labrum. According to Kaye, Mafah will be in a sling for a couple more weeks but hopes to be recovered by Clemson’s pro day. If not, Mafah plans to hold a separate pro day, per Kaye.