Best Clemson running backs: Travis Etienne, Will Shipley followed footsteps of C.J. Spiller, Terry Allen, many more

Running back might be the deepest position Clemson can boast through the modern history of the program. Fred Cone’s name adorns the Ring of Honor in Death Valley. Lester Brown changed the game for the Tigers in the late 1970s, and that led to Cliff Austin and Chuck McSwain as key pieces on the 1981 championship team. 

Kevin Mack bridged to the mid-1980s dynamic duo of Kenny Flowers and Terrence Flagler, and Terry Allen became a star in the late 1980s.

The mid-1990s showcased Raymond Priester, a workhorse back who still holds the program record for most rushing yards in a game and most career snaps by a running back.

But then came the program-changer himself: C.J. Spiller, Dabo Swinney’s most important recruit, who along with Tajh Boyd, Sammy Watkins and others, built the foundation for the later championship teams. Spiller’s list of records is too long to get into, even as he played alongside the “Thunder” to his “Lightning” in James Davis, a terrific talent in his own right.

Andre Ellington, a dynamic talent himself, kept the “run” going (see what I did there?), and he was followed by two of the greatest backs in program history.

Wayne Gallman served as one of the pivotal pieces to the 2016 championship team (who can forget his performance in the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma in 2015?), and if it’s possible, he might be overlooked by some. 

Gallman then passed things over to some who matched (and passed?) Spiller. Yep, that’s hard to believe, but look at Travis Etienne’s accomplishments: national champion and Clemson career rushing leader, season rushing leader, career rushing TD leader, career TD leader and career scoring leader ... WOW.

Will Shipley lived up to his recruiting hype with an outstanding career, and then Phil Mafah followed that up last year. 
As the 2025 season approaches, the question becomes: Who’s next? Adam Randall, David Eziomume, Jay Haynes, Jarvis Green and true freshman Gideon Davidson – a star of Clemson’s 2025 recruiting class after maintaining a long-term commitment to Spiller and head coach Dabo Swinney – will all get a chance to make their case.

Statistics: Who are the best Clemson running backs?

• Wayne Gallman (2013-16) – 3,429 yards, 34 TD, 17 100-yard games
• Travis Etienne (2017-20) – 1AA, 1D, Career Rushing Leader (4,952), Season Rushing Leader (1,658), Career Yards per Carry Leader (7.2), Career Rushing TD Leader (70), Career TD Leader (78), Career Scoring Leader (468)
• C.J. Spiller (2006-09) – 1AA, 1D, Career RB Receptions Leader (123), Career RB Receiving Yards Leader (1,420), Career Kickoff Returns Leader (2.052), Career TDs of 80+ yds (11), Consecutive TD Games (14), Career All-Purpose Yds. (7,588)
• Fred Cone (1948-50) – ROH, first to rush for 2,000 yards, 8th career rushing TDs (30), one of just two players to start for two undefeated teams (1948, 1950)
• Terrence Flagler (1982-86) – 1AA, 1D, 2,080 yards (1176 as sr.), 17 TD
• Terry Allen (1987-89) – 2,778 yards (9th), 28 TDs (10th)
• Raymond Priester (1994-97) – Most Rushing Yards in a Game (263), Career Snaps by RB (2,329)
• Andre Ellington (2009-12) – 3,436 yards, 33 TD, 59 rec., 505 yds rec.
• Will Shipley (2021-23) – 2,747 yards, 31 tD, 85 catches, 602 yrs rec.
• Kevin Mack (1980-83) – 1D (supp.), 1,420 yards (862 as sr.), 12 TD
• Bobby Gage (1945-48) – 1D, 1,309 yards

Who are your favorites? Tell us in the comments at YouTube.com/ClemsonKickoff so you can share your reactions in the comments, and find us on social media @ClemsonKickoff!