Phil Mafah, Clemson football’s best rusher, will not join the 2024 NFL Draft and will instead return for his senior year with the team.
Clemson’s athletic department confirmed to FOX Carolina that Mafah did not submit any paperwork to enter the draft by the mandated deadline, which was Monday for underclassmen. Mafah will return to Clemson as the team’s uncontested top running back after his teammate and roommate, Will Shipley, declared for the draft on January 3rd.

As a junior, Mafah had 179 carries for 965 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns.
After scoring a Gator Bowl record four rushing touchdowns including the go-ahead score in the final seconds to beat Kentucky Dec. 29th, Mafah told FOX Carolina’s Beth Hoole he hadn’t made a decision about next season just yet.
By not submitting any paperwork for the NFL Draft, Mafah has now decided he will return to the Tigers for the 2024 season.
Clemson’s athletic department confirmed to FOX Carolina that Mafah did not submit any paperwork to enter the draft by the mandated deadline, which was Monday for underclassmen. Mafah will return to Clemson as the team’s uncontested top running back after his teammate and roommate, Will Shipley, declared for the draft on January 3rd.