Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
Size:
Height: 6005
Weight: 234
Arm: 31 ⅜”
Hand: 9 ½”
Accomplishments:
Four-star recruit
“Phil Mafah is a sturdy, punishing running back with good open-field speed to gash defenses after wearing them down throughout a game. He has the frame and skill set to become an NFL offense’s RB1.”
Strengths:
Sturdy, dense, thick lower half
Physical downhill running style
Effective receiving ability
Plays with good patience
High IQ as a runner
Concerns:
Pass protection vision, decision-making, and technique
Lacks twitch and explosiveness
Lateral agility and open-field elusiveness
Ability to make second and third-level defenders miss
Film Analysis:
Phil Mafah has carved out a role as the downhill, between-the-tackles runner for Clemson over the past few years, while Will Shipley served more as an all-purpose back. In 2024, Mafah emerged as the featured three-down back, showcasing not only his ability to run between the tackles but also his skills as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Mafah demonstrated his versatility as a runner, excelling in both zone and gap scheme concepts en route to a productive 2024 season. His combination of size, vision, patience, and physicality makes him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams seeking a lead back for their running back room.
Mafah has gained experience with a variety of run concepts. He runs with excellent tempo and vision, manipulating second-level defenders as he presses gaps before altering his run path. The game seems to have slowed down for Mafah, allowing him to play with confidence and speed. Despite his size, Mafah has quick, nimble feet, enabling effective jump cuts to switch gaps and find daylight. He strings together cuts fluidly to evade tacklers in tight spaces. Mafah runs with great physicality and power, and once he builds up speed, bringing him down becomes a formidable challenge. He thrives in downhill situations, running with his shoulders squared toward the end zone.
Mafah is a volume runner who gains strength as the game progresses, wearing down defenses and often breaking big runs late in games as he tests the endurance of opposing defenders. He possesses sufficient open-field speed to generate explosive plays, regularly breaking runs of 10-plus yards. When operating at full speed in the open field, his size and stride make him a tough matchup for defensive backs tasked with securing a tackle to prevent touchdowns.
In addition to his running ability, Mafah has significantly improved his pass-catching skills, becoming a functional threat out of the Tigers’ backfield. His hand mechanics are sound, allowing him to reel in passes cleanly in space. This development has increased his appeal as a potential three-down player in the NFL. Mafah tracks the ball well and plucks it confidently out of the air, showing promise both as a check-down option and an intermediate receiving threat.
One area where Mafah can further improve his third-down value is pass protection. While he shows the desire and willingness to engage defenders, his technique requires refinement. His hands are often not in a ready position to strike or fire off effectively, and his lower body positioning needs work to better anchor against pass rushers. Currently, he tends to rely on physical shoulder pops, which will not suffice at the NFL level. Additionally, Mafah’s vision in pass protection is a concern, as he sometimes misjudges threats, bypassing the quickest defender for another, leading to pressures on the quarterback.
While Mafah has good burst through the first level of the defense, he lacks an explosive initial step, which can be problematic when dealing with quick defensive penetration in the backfield. In space, his ability to force missed tackles relies primarily on his physicality, as he lacks the short-area twitch and elusiveness to consistently beat defenders one-on-one. Mafah does not possess the agility or "wiggle" to make quick cuts and win against defenders in open space.
In his first year as Clemson's unquestioned RB1, Mafah showcased that he is a well-rounded running back capable of executing multiple run concepts at a high level. He has proven that he should be considered a legitimate three-down RB prospect for the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: Georgia (2024), Florida State (2024), Louisville (2024), South Carolina (2024), Kentucky (2023), Florida State (2023), Duke (2023), Notre Dame (2023), NC State (2023)
