Will Shipley
Will Shipley  RB  Clemson | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Will Shipley
Height
5-11
Weight
206
College
Clemson
Position
RB
Class
Junior
Home town
Weddington, NC
83.4/100
Player Rating
9
PositionRank (RB)
4.39
FortyYD Time
Rush YDs
827
Rush AVG
5
Rush TDs
5
Receptions
31
Rec YDs
244

Will Shipley RB Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Will Shipley RB Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back
Last Updated: 03/22/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.39 seconds (93%*)
Age: 21.7 DOB: 08/29/2002
Measurables:
Height: 5-11 (57%*) Weight: 206 (30%*)
Hands: 9 5/8 (71%*) Arm: 30 1/4 (33%*)
Forty: 4.39 (P) (93%*) Shuttle: 4.11 (P) (85%*)
Vertical: 38.5 (P) (90%*) Broad: 122 (P) (74%*)
Three Cone: 6.81 (P) (90%*) Bench: 16 (P) (23%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back
Last Updated: 03/22/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.39 seconds (93%*)
Age: 21.7 DOB: 08/29/2002
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 5-11 (57%*) Weight: 206 (30%*)
Hands: 9 5/8 (71%*) Arm: 30 1/4 (33%*)
Forty: 4.39 (P) (93%*) Shuttle: 4.11 (P) (85%*)
Vertical: 38.5 (P) (90%*) Broad: 122 (P) (74%*)
3 Cone: 6.81 (P) (90%*) Bench: 16 (P) (23%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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Overall Rating: 83.4 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
74%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Rushing:
76%
Break Tackles:
64%
Receiving/Hands:
70%
Pass Blocking:
23%
Run Blocking:
46%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 4th
Overall Rank: #106 Position rank: #9
College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1487
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 88/100
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 5  Stars 247 Sports 98 Stars 247 RATING: 98/100
Grade: 4 Stars 4 Stars RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Zach Evans - Mississippi
63%
Zamir White - Georgia
60%
Evan Hull - Northwestern
60%
Draft Profile: Bio
Will Shipley from Weddington High School was rated a 4-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 5-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Shipley joined Clemson.

In 2021 as a freshman Shipley saw action in 10 games for the Tigers as he ran for 740 yards on 148 attempts for 5.0 yards per carry, with 11 TDs, with one fumble. As a receiver he made 16 receptions for 116 yards.

As a sophomore in 2022 he played 13 games. and rushed for an outstanding 1099 yards on 194 carries for 5.7 ypc, with 15 TDs, with 4 fumbles. In the passing game, he pulled in 33 receptions for 216 yards.

In 2023 as a junior Shipley saw action in 11 games for the Tigers. He ran for 811 yards on 156 attempts for 5.2 ypc, with 5 TDs, with 3 fumbles. As a receiver, he made 29 receptions for 222 yards.

Shipley's on-field achievements at Clemson were recognized with First Team All-ACC honors in 2022 and the role of Team Captain in 2023.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Exhibits elite burst and speed, making him a formidable presence in the open field.
  • Exceptional at navigating tight spaces with his lateral burst and hip flexibility.
  • Skilled receiver, showcasing versatility with ability to line up wide or in the slot, complemented by precise route-running.
  • Outstanding spatial awareness and angle manipulation in tight quarters, adept at exploiting narrow gaps.
  • Demonstrates significant contact balance, adeptly breaking through arm tackles.
  • Effective pass protector with the agility to reposition against oncoming rushers.
  • Dynamic in the open field, capable of making defenders miss with his elusiveness.
  • Proven special teams value, adding another layer to his versatile skill set.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lacks the mass to consistently power through tackles, potentially affecting his efficacy in certain situations.
  • While quick, does not possess top-tier breakaway speed, limiting long-distance threats.
  • Occasionally overlooks potential cutback lanes, which could maximize yardage.
  • Needs improvement in ball security, with a history of fumbles impacting play outcomes.
  • While patient, sometimes hesitates too long in congested areas, missing opportunities.
Scouting Report: Summary
Will Shipley is a high-caliber running back in the 2024 NFL Draft class, equipped with a skill set that sets him apart. His electric open-field play, characterized by explosive bursts and unmatched lateral agility, makes him a nightmare for defenders. His blend of vision, quickness, and route-running finesse positions him as a dual-threat back capable of contributing on both the ground and through the air.

However, Shipley's game isn't without its flaws. The primary concerns stem from his size and power running between the tackles. His difficulty in pushing through dense fronts and breaking free from tackles raises questions about his durability and effectiveness in short-yardage situations. Additionally, while his timed speed is impressive, he does not always play up to this.

Overall, Shipley presents a nice mid-round option for NFL teams seeking a versatile back who isn't just relegated to third-down duties. His ability to quickly break open in space, combined with his receiving prowess, fits well with a wide-open passing offense. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in power running and consistency in contact balance, Shipley's overall profile suggests a player capable of making an immediate impact, albeit initially in a limited role.

Will Shipley percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Will Shipley (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
92.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
12.0
*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.