Phil Mafah RB Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Phil Mafah RB Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (54%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.0 DOB: 10/24/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (54%*) | |
| Age: 22.0 DOB: 10/24/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 82.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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81% |
| Break Tackles: |
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73% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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46% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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50% |
| Run Blocking: |
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50% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#149
Position rank:
#19
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| College Games: 45 College Snaps: 1525 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
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247 RATING: 92/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brian Robinson Jr. - Alabama |
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80% |
| DeWayne McBride - UAB |
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64% |
| Camerun Peoples - Appalachian State |
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64% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Phil Mafah enters the 2025 NFL Draft after a stellar career at Clemson. The 6'1", 225-pound running back from Loganville, Georgia capped off his collegiate journey with a dominant senior season, building on his breakout 2023 campaign where he rushed for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns.Mafah arrived at Clemson as a 4-star recruit out of Grayson High School. After seeing limited action as a freshman in 2021, he emerged as a key contributor in 2022, rushing for 515 yards and 4 touchdowns. His junior year in 2023 saw him take over as the lead back, forming a dynamic duo with Will Shipley and earning fourth-team All-ACC honors.
One of Mafah's signature moments came in the 2023 Gator Bowl against Kentucky, where he rushed for 71 yards and a Clemson bowl-record 4 touchdowns, including 3 in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback victory. This performance foreshadowed his potential to dominate games, which he showcased throughout his senior season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Bruising downhill runner who thrives between the tackles, consistently gaining yards after contact
- Exceptional vision and patience to set up blocks, allowing plays to develop before hitting the hole hard
- Developed into a reliable receiver out of the backfield, offering true three-down potential
- Durable frame that held up to increased workload in senior season, wearing down defenses late in games
- Dominant in short-yardage and goal-line situations, using size and power to push the pile
- Surprisingly nimble feet for his size, allowing him to navigate traffic and evade tacklers in tight spaces
- Shows good burst through the first level when hitting open holes
- Versatile runner who excels in both zone and gap scheme concepts
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks elite top-end speed, which can limit big-play potential once he reaches the second level
- Pass protection, while improved over his college career, still needs refinement for NFL standards
- Can sometimes struggle to create yardage when blocking breaks down
- Not exceptionally elusive in the open field, relying more on power than agility to break tackles
- May need to adjust running style to maximize efficiency against faster NFL defenses
Scouting Report: Summary
Mafah brings a punishing, downhill style to the table that will turn heads in NFL war rooms. His blend of size, vision, and power screams bell-cow potential at the next level. While he won't bust off many home runs, Mafah's ability to consistently move the chains and wear down defenses is tailor-made for a ground-and-pound offense.His development as a pass-catcher and improved blitz pickup during his senior campaign have scouts buzzing about three-down value. Mafah's tape shows a back who can shoulder a heavy workload and be the focal point of an offense. His versatility in both zone and gap schemes will appeal to offensive coordinators looking to diversify their ground game.
After a banner senior season, Mafah has cemented his status as one of the premier backs in this class. While the position's devaluation might keep him out of day one, don't be surprised if a RB-needy team pulls the trigger early on day two. Mafah's combo of production, physicality, and every-down potential make him a prime target for teams looking to add some thunder to their backfield stable.
How other scouting services rate Phil Mafah (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
169.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
17.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.