Top NC running back "on cloud nine" after picking up prestigious Clemson offer

Shipley made an impression at Swinney's high school camp

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Fri Jul 19 07:01:03 GMT-04:00 2019

Since competing at head coach Dabo Swinney’s high school camp last month, Will Shipley has been eagerly awaiting and offer from the reigning national champions.

The good news was delivered to the nation’s top all-purpose back Wednesday evening by running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott.

The 4-star Matthews (NC) Weddington running back said it was hard to explain his excitement about the Clemson offer.

“I was thinking because I had a lot of people asking me, how do you describe yesterday? I think the phrase that can do it any justice is being on cloud nine,” Shipley told TigerNet shortly after receiving the offer. “I've really been waiting on this offer for a good amount of time now and to finally get it is absolutely incredible. I really just feel very blessed and am very thankful that it has finally come.”

Shipley said the turning point at camp was when Swinney stopped by for an extended period of time.

“Funny story, actually, while I was at camp, Coach Swinney came over and watched me go through individual drills for about 15 minutes,” Shipley said. “I went into his office after and I got to talk to him. He told me that was kind of the breaking point right there because of how well I can move, how quick I am, how I listened. I think camp played a huge part in the offer just being in front of them and showing what I can do in real life. I think it played a huge role.”

Working with Elliott for two summers gave Shipley a glimpse into life as a running back at Clemson.

“I think that's one of the most important things is getting on campus and getting to not only meet the coaches but also see how they interact with you,” he said. “After being at the Dabo Swinney camps for two years now and being coached by Coach Elliott, I think it's really let me know what type of coach he is. All coaches have different coaching styles but Coach Elliott, he's very instructional.

"He's going to let you know what you did wrong but he's not going to make you feel like you're the worst person in the world for it. I completely love that. Being coached by him two years in a row, I think it could definitely play a huge role in my decision.”

So where does Clemson stand after the offer?

“I think they will definitely be up there. It's hard to look at Clemson and not be very interested in the program and not just because they're the reigning national champions,” he said. “Just how they produce great fits off the football field. One thing that really spoke to me so much is how they incorporate Christianity throughout their program and that plays a huge role in my day-to-day life so just stuff like that. It really just takes Clemson and moves it up and up and up in my list of schools that I love.”

Shipley has offers from Arkansas, Duke, Georgia, North Carolina, N.C. State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Stanford, and Tennessee, among others.

As a 2021 recruit, he has plenty of time to take visits and make a decision. However, Shipley already knows what he’s looking for in a school.

“Academics will affect the ability for a school to come on or drop off my list,” he said. “And that family environment feel. There’s going to be a lot of factors that go into it but academics will play a huge role.”

Shipley has visited Northwestern, Stanford, North Carolina, Duke, South Carolina and NC State and he’s already making plans for a return trip to Clemson in the fall.

Last season he rushed for 1450 yards and 19 touchdowns and had 450 receiving yards with 7 touchdowns.