Tigers Still Trying to Figure Things out Behind Mafah

CLEMSON — During last Thursday’s final stadium scrimmage of fall camp, Clemson decided to hold running back Phil Mafah out.

It’s no surprise why the coaching staff made that decision.

The Tigers know what they have in Mafah. The preseason All-ACC candidate is one of the top returning backs in the country and is expected to be the center of the Clemson offense this fall.

However, when it comes to who is listed behind the talented senior, there are far more questions than answers. Keith Adams, Jr., Jay Haynes and freshman David Eziomume shared the reps in the backfield in the final scrimmage.

According to head coach Dabo Swinney, the depth chart is Mafah and then everyone else. There is no clear separation on who the No. 2 running back is at this time.

“Keith is his own guy. He is just different,” Swinney said. “I say that all the time, but if you really watch him play, it does not take you long to figure it out. You really have to have your own category for him.”

As for Haynes and Eziomume, the Clemson coach says it’s like having two more Phil Mafah’s on the depth chart.

“You kind of put them in that Mafah category,” he said. “They are talented backs. I am really proud of them. They both had good camps. It has been great because Jay has not been able to fully put it together.

“So, it has been good for him to stack days. The same thing for (Eziomume). He is a different guy than he was in the spring. The game has slowed down. He is playing fast. He is a good strong, physical kid.”

Last year, the Tigers averaged 174.3 yards per game on the ground, with Mafah rushing for a team best 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. When former Clemson running back Will Shipley was healthy, Clemson had one of the best one-two punches in the country at running back.

They are less likely to find that dynamic this season, but the Tigers do have better options than some think behind Mafah.

“I really like our backs,” Swinney said. “Again, Keith is different. He just brings a little different pitch, if you will.”

Clemson will continue to get ready for top-ranked Georgia in the AFLAC Kickoff Classic on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz in Atlanta.