Will Shipley confirms he will not transfer if he does not enter NFL Draft

Clemson running back Will Shipley had three options at the end of the the regular season — return to Clemson, enter the NFL draft or transfer to another school. He is now down to two.

Shipley revealed earlier this week that he will not be transferring if he opts to pass on declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.

“With where I am at this point in the process, it’s either to move on to the next level, being the NFL, or staying back and continuing to be a Clemson Tiger,” Shipley said. “Transferring is just not something that my family and I think we represent as a family.”

Entering the transfer portal has become very common in recent years now that players can do so without having to sit out a season.

Shipley doesn’t judge anyone who does choose to enter the transfer portal but says it’s simply not for him.

“I’m not saying that it’s not a great option for some people. But for me and my position, where I’m at, it’s either on to the big leagues or staying back at Clemson University and being a Tiger for one more year,” Shipley said.

Shipley battled injuries some this season but still put together a solid year, rushing for 798 yards and five touchdowns, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also caught 29 passes for 235 yards and two scores.

He was named first-team All-ACC at three different positions in 2022, before putting together another solid season in 2023.

The North Carolina native was ranked as the No. 3 running back in the country and the No. 36 overall player in the nation in the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

Shipley and fellow Tigers running back Phil Mafah have been a dangerous 1-2 punch for defenses to try to slow down throughout their careers.

Clemson RB Will Shipley will ‘for sure’ play in Gator Bowl vs. Kentucky

While Shipley has yet to announce if he is turning pro after this season, he will play at least one more game in a Tigers uniform either way.

Dabo Swinney shared during his press conference on Tuesday that Shipley is playing in the Gator Bowl vs. Kentucky. He will let Shipley announce his future plans when he is ready to.

“I’ll let him tell y’all that. I won’t steal his thunder either way,” Swinney said. “So I’ll let him tell y’all whatever he’s going to do. He’s playing in the bowl game, for sure.”