One of the most resilient players in recent Clemson football history has bid farewell to the fans who have supported him throughout his four-year journey. On Monday, senior running back Phil Mafah shared a social media post expressing gratitude to Clemson fans, his family, teammates, and the coaching staff.
“My time at Clemson has helped shape me into the person I am today,” his message states, “and will benefit me for years to come. I also want to thank the fans who have supported us from the start.”
Mafah also mentioned that he is now focused on preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. While it’s early in the process, some projections have him as a fifth-round pick, though this could change as the draft approach develops.
A 4-star recruit from Loganville, Georgia, in the 2021 class, Phil Mafah was ranked as a top-200 player nationally when he arrived at Clemson. Due to injuries that fall, he stepped up as a true freshman, rushing for 292 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
As a sophomore in 2022, Mafah played in all 14 games, accumulating 515 yards and four touchdowns on 98 carries, solidifying his role as one of the team’s key offensive players.
In 2023, Mafah had a breakout year, recording 965 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 13 games, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Alongside teammate Will Shipley, Mafah became part of just the fifth pair of Clemson teammates since 1948 to each surpass 800 rushing yards in a season. They were the first duo to achieve this since James Davis and C.J. Spiller in 2007.
This season, Mafah emerged as the Tigers’ primary running back. Despite battling through a shoulder injury for much of the second half, he finished with 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns, earning third-team All-ACC honors.
Mafah leaves a significant legacy both on the field and in the locker room, where he was a respected leader. Clemson fans are grateful for his contributions and wish him the best as he heads to the NFL.
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