Phil Mafah NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Clemson RB

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 238

HAND: 9¼"

ARM: 32⅛"

POSITIVES

— Big, sturdy build with a physical and punishing downhill running style.

— A good combination of patience and vision to navigate the front seven and find daylight.

— Effective receiver out of the backfield, functionality as an outlet for his QB in the screen game.

— Scheme versatility, even experience in both zone and gap concepts.

NEGATIVES

— Limited lateral agility and open field elusiveness to make defenders miss.

— Limited twitch and explosiveness in his athletic profile.

— Nagging shoulder injury, will need surgery after the season.

NOTES

— Born Oct. 24, 2002

— 4-Star recruit in 2021 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Third-Team All-ACC selection

OVERALL

Phil Mafah is the epitome of a physical and punishing running back.

As a runner, Mafah is a strong downhill with a plus-level contact balance. He runs with power and physicality after breaking through the first level of the defense. Mafah is a forward-leaning runner who is rarely knocked backward with momentum. He runs through would-be arm tackles and has a strong stiff arm to keep pursuing defenders at bay. He thrives, pressing the line of scrimmage with patience and good vision to find open lanes. Mafah sports a strong and sturdy frame to absorb and dish out punishment.

For a bigger body RB, Mafah displays good footwork to exchange gaps and find alternative routes to daylight. He is a patient runner who does not speed up his run pacing. He follows blockers well, especially on pin/pull concepts with lead blockers, before accelerating through the void created. Mafah has lateral cuts/side steps to avoid a defender upfield. He processes information well, reading and cutting off upfield defender's leverage or weight distribution.

Mafah is a surprisingly effective pass catcher out of the backfield. He is functional in space, catching the football with confidence and reliable hands. He is effective in the screen game due to his patience and catching ability. His burst/acceleration through traffic into the open field is good and puts defensive backs in conflict to make business decisions as he approaches at full speed.

In terms of overall athleticism, Mafah is not an explosive athlete. He lacks a dynamic first step or plant step to explode past quick-penetrating defenders. If caught in the backfield, Mafah does not have many answers to combat it. Against alley defenders, he heavily relies on physicality and power to force missed tackles. He is not a finesse or elusive mover to break defenders down one-on-one.

Overall, Phil Mafah projects as a potential starting running back. His athletic profile will not be for every organization in the NFL. His ability to run with power and patience bodes well as short yardage and red zone RB. He is a talented prospect, but team fit will be important for Mafah's NFL success.

GRADE: 7.2 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter—3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 87

POSITION RANK: RB7

PRO COMPARISON: D'Onta Foreman

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.