Interview: 4-Star 2021 Clemson RB Commit Phil Mafah Updates Spring Workouts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Physical giftings are all about what one does with them on the field. For Grayson High School’s four-star running back, he is using them to plow over and run past 7A Georgia defenses. A collarbone injury limited his full-impact during the 2019 season, but he still aided the Rams on their 11-2 season carrying the rock 69 times for 676 yards with nine scores and secured six passes for 59 yards with another score in nine games. The 6-1, 225-pound, back has 20-plus reported offers, but shutdown his recruiting process in August of 2019 verbally committing to the Clemson Tigers.

With another big season ahead for Grayson and Mafah, we sat down for an in-depth conversation covering his growth on the field, spring workouts, and how the relationship between one of the nation’s top 2021 backs and Clemson continues to grow.

Interview

Phil, before we get into the details of your play on the field, for those who are not familiar with Georgia high school football, what is it like? If you will, tell us what it is like from the energy in the stands to tough action on the field.

“Georgia football is definitely one of the toughest places to play football. At the highest classification, everyone is a beast, that’s what I like about it. Playing against this level of competition is getting me ready for college. Playing 7A, the competition gets you better. Everything is always live. The fans and the crowds, it is unreal.”

The Rams used a two-headed monster approach out of the backfield with you and Class of 2020 running back Lafayette Gurvin Jr. How did the coaches rotate the action between the two of you last season?

“They started him off. Since I broke my collar bone, I was getting low reps working my way up splitting time with him. We switched out and fed off each other. If one of us was feeling it, we kept going. The coaches made sure to get each of us a rep in each series. If we were gassed, we kept switching out never missing a beat with the offense.”

What offensive set were you guys executing?

“We ran a Spread. Sometimes we’d send a running back out as a receiver.”

In which ways did the offensive coordinator feed you the pigskin? What all were you doing?

“Everything – inside and outside zone, screen plays, and I ran the Wildcat sometimes. I lined up at receiver too. They were getting me the ball a lot of different ways.”

How do you feel your skills improve last season?

“I was stronger than the season before. I feel like I lost a little because I was hurt, I was a little sluggish. But I kept working. This offseason, I was running track and doing more cardio and jump rope. I’ve been running the ball well, but I can still improve. I definitely improved on my agility, quickness, and balance.”

Of the games played last season, which was your best personal performance?

“I’d say when we played Newton.”

Why did you pick that game? What did you do well against Newton?

“I had three touchdowns, I’m not sure of my yardage, and I had my first receiving touchdown.”

*11 carries for 148 yards with two rushing scores and a 10-yard receiving touchdown

Will your role on the team expand in any way during your senior year?

“Yeah. I will play more at receiver. That is a big thing my coach has talked to me about. They don’t want to run me too much early in the season, they want to save me more for the playoffs. They want to save my body.”

During this downtime away from school workouts, what has been your daily workout routine?

“I’ve been going for runs and doing a lot of jump rope. One of my friends’ dads has a workout place, I go there. I am working on my upper and lower body. Doing a lot of jump rope, that will help me in a lot of ways.”

Previously you mentioned running track. What was your best timed run in an event?

“An 11-flat.”

Which events were you scheduled to run this season?

“The 100 and 4×1. I didn’t get to run a lot this year because of my hamstring, and there is no more track this year. “

Since your commitment to Clemson in August of 2019, how has that relationship with the staff improved and grown?

“It has grown a lot. It is like a family up there. I get letters from them all the time. Every time we go up there, they treat us like family. I love the culture and the people up there. It is great up there.”

How do they see you fitting into their scheme?

“They tell me that they like that I am a big back who can move. They see me as an every down back, and they like that I can catch the ball. I am versatile in different ways that they can use in the offense.”

When will you visit Clemson next?

“I think the next time will be for a home game.”

For me, being in your shoes, I’d have so many on my list, but which Clemson games do you have circled that you’d like to go visit for during the upcoming season?

“They one I really want to see is Clemson against South Carolina; it was away last year. I want to experience that. There is a lot of hype for that game. I also want to go to a night game. I went to Georgia Tech game last year, right after my surgery.”

Phil, I appreciate your time today and wish you continued success with your workouts this spring.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Grayson HS/Mafah family; Phil Mafah at Clemson and on the field (2019)

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