Last week during Clemson’s Media Day, running backs coach C.J. Spiller spoke to the media about many topics, featuring his view on the running back room today and the role it will play with this year’s Clemson team.
When talking about the room, Spiller highlighted how his group is excited to come back, and he has seen plenty of progress in each of them throughout the summer.
“These guys had a great summer,” Spiller said. “I think they’re eager to get back on the practice field, get out there and get started again.
CJ Spiller
A former Tiger standout from 2006-2009, Spiller had high praise for the whole group, highlighting his top guy on the depth chart: Will Shipley.
“He’s still evolving as a runner,” he praised. “He’s getting better on a daily basis.”
CJ Spiller
Another player who was mentioned in high praise early on was the second guy, or even considered the 1b of the running backs: Phil Mafah.
“He just puts in work,” Spiller added:” “He’s very quiet but he goes to work. “I think he’s very poised to have a big year. Just watching him this spring, he has a different look in his eye.”
CJ Spiller
Spiller also credited backs Keith Adams Jr. and Dominique Thomas with incredible summers as well, calling Thomas “almost like a veteran” to the offense.
“I’m excited about the whole room,” Spiller said. “It’s a great room, great competition, and we will see how this thing rolls.”
CJ Spiller
But perhaps the biggest question mark when it came to the running game this season was the offseason addition of TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who implements his Air Raid offense in a potential switch towards favoring the receivers. However, the running backs coach is very pleased with the way the scheme has been going for his players.
“This offense is very running back-friendly,” Spiller added. “It’s a varied tempo offense, you want to play fast but you also have to play under control. That’s the thing he’s [Riley] is always preaching. It is also about repetitions.”
CJ Spiller
Spiller also added the results of the Horned Frogs’ rushing success last year, where they had a young star, Junior Kendre Miller, had an explosive season, leaving a trail of destruction with an astounding 1,342 yards gained and an impressive 17 touchdowns scored. His dominance was showcased by an extraordinary sequence of seven games, where he achieved over 100 rushing yards in eight outings. Moreover, he maintained an unbroken streak of 13 consecutive games, each one featuring him finding the end zone.
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Providing unwavering support, Demercado the other TCU running back added 472 yards and five touchdowns to the team’s ground attack, proving to be a formidable force alongside Miller.
If it is one thing that comes to view with Spiller’s running back room, it is competition, where he has seen plenty of healthy competition from his group of players.
“It brings out the best of each other, and that’s what you want,” Spiller said.
CJ Spiller
With quite a deep running room with plenty of selections to have in your backfield, Spiller highlighted freshman Jarvis Green during the interview, who joined the Tigers in the summer and began to practice just weeks ago.
“I think he has a bright future,” Spiller said. “He comes in and learned from those older guys and really just soaked in everything. I think he will be just fine.”
CJ Spiller
Whoever it may be that starts in the backfield on Labor Day Monday against Duke, whether it be Shipley, Mafah or anybody else, the running backs are in good hands. With plenty of depth and talent in the room, it will be very tough to stop these players from making big plays and helping the Tigers win games in the 2023-2024 season.
