Honest Admission: “Top NFL Draft Guru Brutally Raves About Clemson Tigers’ Star Player!”
A prominent NFL scout is very high on one Clemson Tigers star.
The Clemson Tigers boast a standout talent in senior running back Phil Mafah, and it’s not just Clemson fans who are noticing his skills.
The Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, AL, is a key pre-draft showcase for players hoping to catch the eye of NFL scouts. Invitations to the event are carefully curated by Executive Director Jim Nagy, who relies on extensive scouting from his team over the years. Recently, Nagy shared on social media that he attended the Clemson game this weekend and had some glowing praise for Mafah.
The @seniorbowl is looking live at Clemson vs. Stanford. RB Phil Mafeh (6003v, 233v) is a physical downhill workhorse who sets tone for Tigers offense. First-year starter with plenty tread left on tires. NFL teams have solid mid-round grades on Mafah.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/DewoXBn4k2
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 28, 2024
Describing Mafah as a “downhill workhorse who sets the tone,” it’s clear that the senior running back is firmly on Jim Nagy’s radar as the draft process approaches after the season ends. Traditionally, players start receiving invitations during bowl season, and Mafah seems like a strong candidate to participate if he chooses to.
Having accumulated over 2,000 rushing yards throughout his Clemson career, Mafah has proven to be incredibly reliable. Last season, sharing time with Will Shipley, he averaged more than five yards per carry—a feat he has maintained since his freshman year. He finished the season with 965 yards and 13 touchdowns on just 179 touches, which set him up for a larger role in 2024 following Shipley’s departure.
So far, he has certainly stepped up, averaging an impressive 8 yards per carry with 342 yards on 43 attempts and two touchdowns this season. His performance against Stanford was relatively subdued by his standards, with 58 yards on only 10 carries.
Although he seems almost certain to be drafted next April, Mafah still has goals to achieve in a Tigers uniform. Clemson is poised to compete for an ACC title, which could lead to a spot in the College Football Playoff, and Mafah will be a key contributor to that effort.