Will Shipley's Speed: How Fast Is Clemson's Star Running Back? (2024)

By Edcel Panganiban August 16, 2024 05:33

Photo by AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.

Clemson's rising star, Will Shipley, has emerged as a beacon of speed and agility. This sensation on the field isn't just a talented running back; he's a phenomenon whose rapid acceleration and nimbleness have captured the attention of fans and scouts alike. With anticipation building around his transition to the professional stage, questions about how fast Shipley is are buzzing through the sports community.

This examination delves into the impressive speed metrics and on-field performances of Clemson's exceptional running back, shedding light on what makes Will Shipley a name to watch closely, especially as he gears up for a promising future in the NFL. Join us as we explore the velocity behind the vigor of Clemson's star, Will Shipley: a running back whose speed defines the boundaries of potential on the football field.

Background Info on Will Shipley

Early Life & Sports Education

A North Carolina native, Will Shipley was a five-star prospect out of high school and one of his class's top 50 overall prospects. His athletic career began at Weddington High School, where he starred as a running back to 3,000 yards on the ground and took home some accolades that would portend his college days at Clemson.

College Career at Clemson

Shipley also arrived at Clemson in 2021 and burst onto the scene from Game 1. During three seasons, he blossomed into a key component of the Tigers' offense (First Team All-ACC in 2022). His collegiate stats: 2023 season 167 carries for (827 yards, five реr cаrrу) аnd 31 recерtiоns fоr 194 yards showcasing his abilities as a true dual threat on the ground and through the air.

Playing Style

A patient but decisive runner, Shipley possesses a quick burst of acceleration and impressive lateral mobility to make a series of cuts. He may not be the size of a typical workhorse back, but his speed and agility allow him to quickly hit seams between defenders in ways few backs can. Analytically, he is great at finding lanes and, when there, uses another gear to turn lower corners into a real lane in both the running and passing game.

Shipley's Speed Metrics: A Quantitative Analysis

40-Yard Dash Time

The 40-yard dash time is one of the more indicative metrics for running back speed. Shipley ran a 4.39-second time in the 40-yard dash at Clemson's Pro Day, which would have placed him among the quickest running backs in this year's NFL Combine draft crop.

Acceleration and Top Speed

Shipley possesses a different gear of speed, especially down the field. He can turn on the jets quickly; outrunning would be tacklers left and right. As a short-area athlete, he has the burst to get up-field, and his lateral agility is seamlessly quick bend-making without losing speed. Acceleration and agility are major factors for a running back, as it aids him in getting through the cutback lanes while dodging potential tacklers.

Other Speed-Related Stats

Besides his 40-yard dash time, Shipley has a symmetrical speed profile in terms of performance metrics. His speed through contact and fast feet make him a pro-style runner. He may lack elite home-run speed, but his quick acceleration allows him to pick up chunks of yards on inside runs.

Qualitative Review

Impact on Performance

He can get to his top speed in a hurry and changes gears quickly, which leads the defense and allows for big plays. During his time at Clemson, he flashed great separation speed out of cuts when breaking up the field and showed a big play upside. Due to his speed, he's also a weapon in the passing game, as he can be used downfield for mismatches against slower linebackers.

Game Situations

On the field, that speed is most noticeable by a quick change of direction and the ability to make people miss in space. With speed being his biggest asset, he frequently relies on it to blow by defenders, making him a dual threat both as a runner and receiver. He even played against the best defenses that emphasized his ability to turn would-be losses into big gains and how his speed could change games.

Comparison To Other Top College Running Backs

Current Comparisons

From a production and traits standpoint, Shipley compares favorably to other top running backs in college. He's commonly drawn comparisons to De'Von Achane and Tyjae Spears, in particular, due to their speediness and ability to play different positions. Achane is a playmaker in every sense, while Spears had an excellent rookie season with the Titans to show exactly what impact speed can have at this level.

Historical Comparisons

In college, Shipley had a similar level of speed to Alvin Kamara, and while he is heavier than him, they both have the same type of versatility in pure quickness. Kamara's ability to contribute as a runner and receiver has set the standard for what teams are looking for in this day and age from their running back, which means Shipley could be on par if he gets into the right situation at the NFL level.

Projections for the NFL

Transition to the Next Level

His speed could be very useful for Shipley at the next level in more ways than one. He won't be seen as a workhorse, but he can contribute as part of the committee. Shipley is a very appealing option for teams searching for an all-purpose back who can make plays as both a runner and receiver.

Potential Impact

If Shipley lands on the right roster with a team that knows how to maximize his speed, he could be in store for an impactful NFL career. With his elusiveness and speed, he is a perfect fit for any team needing a third-down scatback that, if used properly, can provide offensive conduits. He could do much more in today's NFL, where speed and pass-catching ability are valuable assets.

Speed is one of the biggest appeals to Shipley's game and could determine his eventual success at the next level. Shipley is one of the more dynamic running back prospects thanks to his impressive speed metrics, strong performance history, and ability to affect a game in multiple ways. Shipley will certainly demonstrate that, be it as a complimentary back or in more of an every-down capacity when his pro career kicks into gear.

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