The Philadelphia Eagles added to their backfield by choosing Will Shipley within the 2024 NFL Draft. With a purpose to be taught much more about Philly’s new operating again, I reached out to SB Nation’s Clemson weblog: Shakin The Southland. Tigers author Ryan Kantor was sort sufficient to reply my questions.
1) Are you able to recap his faculty profession?
Will Shipley was a five-star prospect out of suburban Charlotte that got here to Clemson simply as Travis Etienne was departing. Sadly, his first 12 months at Clemson coincided with the beginning of what has develop into a three-year scourge of poor offense. He performed beneath three offensive coordinators and two operating again coaches together with CJ Spiller as a rookie place coach. Regardless of going to an influence program, he didn’t have essentially the most ultimate set-up.
That stated, he made his mark as a real freshman speeding for 739 yards in 10 video games. As a sophomore he upped his sport and tallied 1,182 yards on 5.6 YPC with a formidable 15 touchdowns. He established himself as a fan favourite and outspoken crew chief. He didn’t have the insane acceleration that Travis Etienne had, however no person performed with extra battle and depth. Two performs from his sophomore season stand out in my thoughts. My favourite play of his profession was his objective line landing at Wake Forest he earned by sheer pressure of will (3:47 mark beneath). The opposite was when he jumped over a hapless Louisville defender and break up two others for an extended landing (7:05):
His junior season this previous 12 months didn’t actually construct on that success although. He dropped from 1,182 to 827 (he performed two fewer video games) and from 5.6 to five.0 YPC. He misplaced two fumbles, which doesn’t sound terrible, however they had been each in objective line conditions in video games Clemson misplaced shut. He was injured and didn’t play in opposition to Notre Dame and that’s when Clemson’s operating sport actually took off with RB Phil Mafah. Upon his return, the duo break up carries.
His Clemson profession concluded within the Gator Bowl in opposition to Kentucky. He had an incredible 60-yard kickoff return that set Clemson up for a go-ahead subject objective. He injured his knee on the return and it regarded fairly dangerous. Fortunately, nothing was torn and he was medically OK to take part in professional day and nonetheless get picked by the Eagles.
2) What are his strengths?
His potential to navigate visitors and burst via tiny openings is a power. His versatility as a go catcher and particular groups return man give him a number of methods to assist the Eagles. He’s an outspoken crew chief who has an especially intense drive to win.
3) What are his weaknesses?
Shipley ran a formidable 4.39 (93rd-percentile) 40-yard sprint at Professional Day so maybe he made himself sooner with concentrated coaching, however he by no means actually confirmed true break-away velocity with pads on in a sport. He actually isn’t gradual, however Clemson’s offense actually wanted explosive performs this previous 12 months and he seldom supplied that.
He additionally isn’t a giant bruiser operating again that may pound via the scrum on the objective line and as talked about, had some ball safety points this season. He earned very strong PFF grades as a runner (76.2) and as a receiver (73.7), however struggled in go blocking (25.2).
4) Are you stunned the place he was drafted? Increased or decrease than anticipated? Excellent?
Previous to the draft I wrote “count on Shipley to be a mid-round draft decide.” You possibly can’t get extra mid-round than the fourth spherical. I believe it’s a cheap decide at this stage within the draft.
5) How do you see his NFL profession enjoying out?
I don’t assume Shipley has top-flight starter upside, however he is usually a helpful participant in a restricted offensive function catching the ball out of the backfield, getting a number of touches on the bottom, and maybe contributing on particular groups. Given the place he was taken within the draft, if he does that, you’ll be ok with the worth of the decide.
6) Something to find out about him off the sphere?
Will Shipley is intense. He’s a vocal chief and crammed that vacuum fairly shortly upon becoming a member of a crew that simply misplaced QB Trevor Lawrence. He must get a bit extra mature and management it – yelling at coaches and his quarterback throughout a sport is a foul look – however there’s little doubt he desires to win.
Other than soccer, he’s a person of religion and a beneficiant particular person. He was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works crew for elevating $10,000 for a Youngsters’s Hospital in his hometown of Charlotte. He additionally donated a few of his personal cash in an analogous quantity to help girls’s sports activities at Clemson. Total, he’s a fairly likable man with upside to offer vital contributions even when not as a top-level starter. We’re actually rooting for the brand new Clemson duo (Shipley and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.) in Philadelphia.
Lastly, when you wish to be taught concerning the subsequent crop of NFL stars earlier than they enter the draft, I’d vastly respect anybody who would subscribe to my YouTube channel. Additionally you should definitely examine us out over at ShakintheSouthland.com.
