Dabo Swinney addresses Will Shipley’s NFL Draft decision

Will Shipley has a decision to make regarding his future in football following this season. Now, Dabo Swinney has weighed in on the process that lays ahead of Clemson’s junior running back.

Swinney spoke about Shipley following the 31-20 victory for the Tigers over North Carolina – a game in which Shipley went through Senior Day festivities beforehand. In his mind, the decision is as on the table as it is because of the position that Shipley has put himself in off the field and in the classroom.

“I think it’s a decision just because he has got his degree,” said Swinney. :I think if he didn’t have his degree? You come back.”

“This guy? Not only has he gotten his degree in three years – he’s a perfect 4.0. Y’all just try that one on, all of y’all that have been to college,” Swinney exclaimed. “All I know is this guy is a perfect 4.0, he has graduated in three years, and he’s one of the highest performing athletes in the country. I mean how hard is that? It’s just crazy to me to process that. He has earned that and, again, through that, I think he has got a decision to make. It’s just a matter of what he wants to do.”

Personally, Swinney admitted that he wouldn’t mind to bring him back since he has posted 3,200 yards of offense and 33 touchdowns as a Tiger. That’s especially so since Clemson will have another quality team next season, including a pairing of him and Phil Mafah that has been better and better as this season went on.

“We’ll be all for him. I hope he comes back – one more little ride. We’ve kind of hit our stride with him and Mafah. This is kind of what we’re seeing. Some of it is because they’ve had games where this guy missed, this guy missed, whatever. But they’ve kind of found themselves,” explained Swinney. “They both know who they are, they compliment each other well. They’re a problem. I mean it’s a problem. It is a load to have to handle these two dudes for four quarters.”

“I hope he comes back because I think we’ve got a good team coming back and he’s a great player,” said Swinney. “But, hey, whatever he decides? I’m all for it.”

Still, at the end of the day, a decision regarding the NFL Draft is one for Shipley to make alone. All Swinney can do is be a help to him with that business and, from there, let the chips fall where they may when it comes to all his players who are considering their next steps.

“He’s a dynamic player, I think he’s going to be a great pro. He’s a guy that coaches are going to love. He can do so much, he’s a special talent. Like I said, he has just got to decide if he’s ready to give up college football, if he wants to take one more shot at it,” Swinney said. “We had a good talk about it. He’ll have to make a decision. He’ll pray on it, he’ll do what he thinks is best.”

“You never know. Sometimes these guys? They’re ready to get married or they’re ready to go on into whatever’s next in life. You just don’t know what’s driving all these decisions,” said Swinney. “We’ll see what they do.”