Phil Mafah RB Clemson | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Phil Mafah RB Clemson
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/05/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (54%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.4 DOB: 10/24/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 03/05/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (54%*) | |
| Age: 22.4 DOB: 10/24/2002 | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
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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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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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81% |
| Break Tackles: |
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70% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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47% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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56% |
| Run Blocking: |
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50% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#163
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 49 College Snaps: 1656 | ||
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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74% |
| Camerun Peoples - Appalachian State |
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63% |
| DeWayne McBride - UAB |
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59% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The pride of Grayson High School in Georgia, Phil Mafah arrived at Clemson as a four-star recruit and the Tigers' first commit of the 2021 class. Initially slated to redshirt, Mafah was thrust into action due to backfield attrition and never looked back. After playing second fiddle to Will Shipley for two seasons, Mafah seized the starting role in 2024 and delivered a 1,000+ yard campaign despite battling through a nagging shoulder injury all season. The powerful back finished his Clemson career with 2,887 rushing yards (ninth in school history) and 28 touchdowns (tied for tenth), cementing his legacy with a legendary four-touchdown performance in the 2023 Gator Bowl against Kentucky.After showing flashes as a freshman with 292 yards in limited action, he steadily increased his production each season. His breakout moment came in 2023 when he and Shipley formed Clemson's first dynamic backfield duo since James Davis and C.J. Spiller, with Mafah contributing 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite never being the featured back until his senior year, Mafah consistently produced when called upon, averaging a solid 5.1 yards per carry over his career while demonstrating surprising versatility for a back of his stature.
The William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist saved his best for last, battling through injury to become just the 18th player in Clemson history to record a 1,000-yard rushing season. Voted team captain by his peers, Mafah showcased his workhorse potential with three 100-yard performances in a four-game stretch midseason, including a punishing 171-yard effort against Louisville. His combination of size, power, and unexpected patience has NFL scouts intrigued about his potential as a complementary piece or perhaps even a lead back at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Bulldozing downhill runner who initiates and seeks contact, consistently punishing second-level defenders with a violent running style
- Patient approach with excellent vision to set up blocks, allowing pulling guards to connect before exploding through creases with surprising burst
- Possesses exceptional contact balance, routinely running through arm tackles and maintaining forward momentum after absorbing hits
- Devastating stiff arm that creates separation and sends would-be tacklers flying, especially effective when he builds momentum
- Shows impressive footwork for a 234-pound back, demonstrating quick feet in tight spaces to navigate traffic behind the line
- Reliable hands as a check-down option, securing catches cleanly and transitioning upfield without breaking stride
- Absolute beast in short-yardage and goal-line situations, showcased by his four-TD performance in the 2023 Gator Bowl
- Scheme-versatile runner who excels in both gap and zone concepts, allowing creative offensive coordinators to maximize his skill set
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited lateral agility and change-of-direction ability restrict his elusiveness when faced with penetration in the backfield
- Lacks breakaway speed to consistently capitalize on big-play opportunities, getting caught from behind in the open field
- Pass protection needs refinement - shows willing effort but inconsistent technique and awareness against complex blitz packages
- Too often runs with high pad level, creating a larger target area for defenders and negating some of his natural power
- Battled shoulder issues that limited effectiveness late in his senior season, raising potential durability concerns at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
He's that throwback power back with surprising agility who's going to make his money between the tackles and in short-yardage situations. What separates Mafah from other big backs is his patience and vision - he doesn't just blindly slam into the line. He sets up blocks beautifully, allowing pulling linemen to connect before he accelerates through the hole with surprising burst for his size.While Mafah won't be outrunning many NFL defensive backs, his combination of power, vision, and unexpected nimbleness will make him an immediately valuable contributor in a committee backfield. Teams operating behind strong offensive lines would benefit most from his downhill style. In the right system, Mafah could develop into a reliable early-down hammer who wears defenses down while contributing enough in the passing game to avoid becoming one-dimensional.
Given the devaluation of the running back position, Mafah likely comes off the board early on Day 3, providing excellent value for a team looking to add power to their backfield rotation. His immediate impact will come in short-yardage packages, but don't be surprised if Mafah eventually carves out a significant role as a complementary piece in a two-back system. While he may never become a featured workhorse in today's NFL, his punishing style and reliable production will earn him a roster spot and meaningful touches from day one.
Phil Mafah percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Phil Mafah (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
205.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
26.0
*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.