Freshmen Backs and Wideouts Made of ‘Right Stuff’

Over the past two recruiting cycles, Clemson has signed its best two recruiting classes of the Dabo Swinney era.

Both have been top-five classes with the 2020 class producing stars such as D.J. Uiagalelei, Bryan Bresee, and Myles Murphy. Now it appears as if the 2021 class will produce a similar number of freshmen stars.

Each time Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney starts talking about first-year running backs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, it’s hard not to hear the excitement in his voice.

“(WIll) and Mafah, they’re very natural players,” Swinney said. “Both incredibly well coached in high school. They’re coming from systems where they’ve been asked to do certain, similar things. So I’m really excited about both those guys they’re way ahead of the curve.”

His excitement isn’t only reserved to those two running backs, though. From the day freshmen receivers Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins arrived on campus, Swinney has boasted about his confidence in their ability to contribute right away.

“Just like those two freshmen receivers,” Swinney said. “They’re way ahead of the curve for where a high school senior would typically be coming in here. And they’re not overwhelmed, it’s not too big for them.

Swinney said he thinks all four players have what it takes to make contributions next season.

“All four of those guys… Those two receivers Beaux and Dacari and then Mafah and Will, they got the right stuff.”

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