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 type sufficient to reply my questions.
1) Are you able to recap his school 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 yr at Clemson coincided with the beginning of what has change into a three-year scourge of poor offense. He performed below 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 splendid 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 recreation and tallied 1,182 yards on 5.6 YPC with a powerful 15 touchdowns. He established himself as a fan favourite and outspoken group 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 drive of will (3:47 mark beneath). The opposite was when he jumped over a hapless Louisville defender and break up two others for a protracted landing (7:05):
His junior season this previous yr 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 have been each in objective line conditions in video games Clemson misplaced shut. He was injured and didn’t play towards Notre Dame and that’s when Clemson’s operating recreation actually took off with RB Phil Mafah. Upon his return, the duo break up carries.
His Clemson profession concluded within the Gator Bowl towards Kentucky. He had an incredible 60-yard kickoff return that set Clemson up for a go-ahead area objective. He injured his knee on the return and it appeared fairly unhealthy. 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 skill to navigate site visitors and burst by means of 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 group chief who has a particularly intense drive to win.
3) What are his weaknesses?
Shipley ran a powerful 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 recreation. He definitely isn’t gradual, however Clemson’s offense actually wanted explosive performs this previous yr and he seldom offered that.
He additionally isn’t a giant bruiser operating again that may pound by means of 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? Larger or decrease than anticipated? Excellent?
Previous to the draft I wrote “anticipate 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 affordable 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 generally is 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 learn about him off the sphere?
Will Shipley is intense. He’s a vocal chief and stuffed that vacuum fairly shortly upon becoming a member of a group that simply misplaced QB Trevor Lawrence. He must get a bit extra mature and management it – yelling at coaches and his quarterback throughout a recreation is a nasty look – however there’s little doubt he needs to win.
Aside from soccer, he’s a person of religion and a beneficiant particular person. He was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works group 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 ladies’s sports activities at Clemson. Total, he’s a fairly likable man with upside to offer important contributions even when not as a top-level starter. We’re definitely rooting for the brand new Clemson duo (Shipley and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.) in Philadelphia.
Lastly, should you wish to be taught in regards to the subsequent crop of NFL stars earlier than they enter the draft, I’d significantly admire anybody who would subscribe to my YouTube channel. Additionally make sure you verify us out over at ShakintheSouthland.com.
