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Clemson to use transfer portal for O-line needs. Tigers down top two backs for spring

GWINN DAVIS/Special to The State

If nothing else, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said his team is battle-tested. Between injuries and growing pains, the Tigers had a relatively down 2021 season but can use that to propel them into a stronger 2022 campaign.

That process began with the start of spring practices Wednesday afternoon. Here are a few takeaways from what Swinney said prior the first practice of spring:

Heading to the transfer portal

After getting a re-scan of his neck conducted, Hunter Rayburn and his family decided it was time to medically retire, according to Swinney. The Clemson coach said he was hoping to get one more year out of Rayburn because of how much the former offensive lineman developed. The Tigers will also be without offensive lineman Mason Trotter for the spring and the majority of the fall. It’s not a legal or university issue, according to Swinney, who said he was declining to elaborate on the matter out of respect to Trotter.

As a result of losing Rayburn and Trotter, the Tigers plan to “actively pursue” the transfer portal between now and May.

“It’s got to be the right fit,” Swinney said, “somebody that fits us fits our program, fits our locker room, somebody that’s all conference, multi-year starter type of a guy that’s a veteran because there’s a little bit of a gap. We love our roster that we have in that offensive line room in particular. We’ve got a lot of guys that we’re super excited about.”

Swinney also didn’t rule out taking more than one player from the portal.

“There’s a few guys out there right now that we’re evaluating and really looking at and I’m sure there’ll … be somebody next week, there’ll be somebody the next week and the next week and the next week. So it’s fluid and we make those decisions. Anything can happen.”

Phil Mafah the man — for now

Will Shipley and Kobe Pace carried the running back load for much of the 2021 season but won’t be featured early on in spring practices due to injuries. Pace is rehabbing after having surgery on his big toe, while Shipley is recovering from a foot injury.

As a result, sophomore Phil Mafah will get more reps this spring and practiced with the first-team unit on Wednesday. While the original plan for 2021 was to redshirt the Georgia native, transfers and injuries put the Tigers in need at running back, causing Mafah to have to play nine games. In that time, he totaled 292 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries as a freshman.

“Mafah’s the man,” Swinney said. “It’s going to be an opportunity for him to get a ton of work. He didn’t really get that chance to go be the guy (last year) ... so this is going to be great for him. I mean, I think we’re gonna have a three-headed monster at running back.”

Mafah will be the focal point but not the only running back to get reps during spring practice. Kevin McNeal, Domonique Thomas and Tristen Rigby are also expected to take their turns in the backfield.

“If you’re a walk-on running back, man, you’re fixing to have a great spring,” Swinney said. “It’s gonna be a lot of opportunity.”

Xavier Thomas surprise

Generally, a five-star football recruit spends three years in college and leaves for the NFL. Defensive end Xavier Thomas was expected to do just that, despite him having an up-and-down college career. Thomas, however, went against the grain — and many people’s expectations — by opting to return to Clemson for 2022.

“In 2021, it looked to everyone as if I was playing my best ball. To me, knowing what I am capable of and my ability, that wasn’t even half of my best,” he wrote in a letter he posted to Twitter on Jan. 15. “There is A LOT more work to do. Patience is a virtue and I refuse to sell myself short. LET’S RUN IT BACK.”

Thomas started 10 of 12 games played and totaled 27 tackles, 5.5 of which were for loss, to go along with 3.5 quarterback sacks. What was most impressive about his game, though, was his quickness and ability to pressure the opposing quarterback.

Swinney said he had no influence on Thomas’ decision and was surprised, too, when the Florence native informed Swinney of his decision. At the same time, he chalked it up to the increased level of maturity in Thomas.

“Coming off that really challenging season he had in ‘20, he really had some fun getting himself back where he needed to be,” Swinney said. He didn’t feel like he was the best version of himself. … I’m just really really proud of who he’s become and the type of leader that he’s become.”