Will Shipley still uncertain on his NFL Draft status ahead of the Gator Bowl

Clemson RB Will Shipley still has a decision to make regarding his future in football. He isn’t any closer to deciding it, though, based on his latest update on the process.

Shipley opened his press conference on Wednesday with a question concerning his choice involving the 2024 NFL Draft. However, to this point, he said he remains uncertain about this thing that’s hanging over him and his loved ones.

“For my family and I? It’s something that I think we wish we could have an answer right now. But it just hasn’t come to me,” said Shipley.

The only thing that Shipley does know is that he wanted to appear in the Gator Bowl against Kentucky.

On one hand, he wants to complete the season turnaround for the Tigers by helping the team win a fifth consecutive game to finish the year after they started 4-4. On the other hand, he also wants to take advantage of the opportunity to put on his Clemson uniform one last time if this is indeed it for him in college.

“I knew that I wanted to play in the bowl game,” said Shipley. “There was no doubt that I wanted to get out there with my boys at least one more time. Just go out there and finish the season on the right note with five wins in a row.”

Over his three seasons at Clemson, Shipley has nearly 600 touches as a Swiss Army knife on offense. Those have led to just over 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground as well as 593 yards and two more scores when receiving.

At the very least, the Tigers can expect one more appearance from Shipley in Jacksonville against the Wildcats. Still, as far as anything beyond that or his professional options, Shipley himself says neither he nor anyone in his inner circle is sure yet.

“Ultimately? Just haven’t come to a decision yet. My family and I, and me personally, just haven’t,” said Shipley. “Nothing’s too clear for me right now.”

Clemson announces new jersey numbers for multiple players ahead of bowl game

There will be multiple Clemson players wearing a new number when the Tigers face Kentucky in the Gator Bowl later this month.

Dabo Swinney held a press conference on Tuesday and announced that S Jalyn Phillips, CB Shelton Lewis, TE Olsen Patt-Henry, and S Rob Billings will all be sporting new numbers in the bowl game.

Phillips has gone from 25 to 1, Shelton Lewis moved from 14 to 2, Olsen Patt-Henry has changed from 81 to 11, and Rob Billings is now wearing 14 after previously being No. 31.

The changes came due to several players leaving the program since the end of the regular season.

No. 1 opened up when S Andrew Mukuba entered the transfer portal. Phillips will wear No. 1 during his final game with the Tigers. No. 2 then became available after star CB Nate Wiggins declared for the draft.

A transfer portal departure led to the No. 11 being available. It was previously worn by TE Sage Ennis. With Shelton Lewis moving to No. 2, that allowed Billings to move in and claim No. 14.