Will Shipley admits he's considered leaving Clemson early

Clemson running back Will Shipley wants to help the Tigers finish out the regular season strong, but after that, he isn’t certain what his future holds.

Shipley was asked during a press conference on Tuesday if he has thought about his future and if he plans on being back with the Tigers next season.

“Yea, great question. I think I’ve been trying to stay in the present as much as I can, especially with how the season has gone and what coach [Dabo] Swinney preaches to us every day, just being in the now,” Will Shipley said. “But I’ve definitely thought a little bit about it. It’s something that is inevitable, just the opportunities that are there after this season.”

Shipley did not clarify if he was referring to opportunities in the NFL, opportunities for more playing time elsewhere or even potential NIL opportunities with another program.

However, it does seem as though he is at least considering leaving Clemson after the 2023 season — potentially even before the Tigers’ bowl game.

“Haven’t put enough thought into it. So I wouldn’t be able to give you a great answer right now,” Shipley said. “But definitely something that’s going to be weighing on me. But my team deserves my full attention and my full preparation to go out here and win these last two regular season games and then see what comes after that.”

It has been and up-and-down season for Shipley, who earned first-team All-ACC honors at three different positions last year.

With two games remaining in the regular season, Shipley has recorded 592 rushing yards and four touchdowns, as well as 23 receptions for 150 yards and two scores.

He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry, which is down from the 5.6 yards per carry number he was at last season, when he rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Shipley has also battled injuries this year. He was knocked out of the NC State game with a concussion and was forced to miss Clemson’s game against Notre Dame the following weekend.

He returned this past weekend against Georgia Tech and had a solid game, rushing 11 times for 77 yards and a touchdown, while catching three passes for 30 yards.

Shipley will look to help the Tigers to a win over North Carolina this weekend and a win over rival South Carolina on Nov. 25. Whether or not he suits up as a Clemson Tiger again after that appears to be up in the air.