CBS Sports outlined the key player for each of its Top 25 this week, where Clemson is No. 17:
"Phil Mafah, RB: Mafah certainly isn't a one-to-one comparison to departing running back Will Shipley. Clemson will likely need a committee to replace Shipley, who impacted the game out of the backfield, as a kick returner and as a receiver. He was singlehandedly Clemson's most dynamic offensive option, and he'll be sorely missed. But with issues all over the offense, Mafah should emerge as a steady hand. He hasn't missed a game in two years and got plenty of run last season while Shipley dealt with injuries, rushing for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns."
team or who doesn't know our returners very well. Shipley was great, but as a RB, he was average. In my boredom, I watched highlights of our former RBs....Priester, Zachary, Ellington, Davis, Gallman etc. just to refresh my memories of what I thought I remembered. Shipley would not start over those dudes, so a change of personnel may be a good thing to get some fresh blood. Also - the "issues" are very much positives as far as I see it though orange eyeballs....The QB will be much improved - the real second year is almost always head and shoulders above the first. The WR core will be above average...finding the best core will be the most difficult task. AND the OL has the talent to be good, not just decent.