Will Shipley Bio
William L. Shipley, born on August 29, 2002, is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 209 pounds, Shipley has quickly established himself as a versatile contributor capable of impacting the game on the ground, through the air, and on special teams. After starring in college at Clemson, where he earned national recognition, he entered the NFL in 2024 and was part of a championship roster in just his first season. He currently wears jersey number 28 for the Eagles and remains an active member of the team’s offensive and special-teams units.
Early Life and Background
Will Shipley was born and raised in Weddington, North Carolina, a community near Charlotte where he developed his lifelong love for athletics. He attended Weddington High School in Matthews, North Carolina, and quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic multi-sport athletes in the region. Although football became his primary path, Shipley’s number-one sport in high school was actually taekwondo, while lacrosse was his second. He was recognized as a five-star recruit in lacrosse and helped his high school capture a state lacrosse championship alongside his brother, who later went on to play at the University of Pennsylvania.
Despite his success in other sports, football remained Shipley’s ticket to a collegiate future. Rated as the second-best running back in his class by ESPN, he committed to play college football at Clemson during his junior year of high school. His senior season was canceled and moved to the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but by then he had already built an impressive résumé. He finished his high school career with 4,173 rushing yards on 503 carries, 1,411 receiving yards on 84 catches, and 80 total touchdowns, an extraordinary output that foreshadowed his college success.
Path to American Football
Shipley’s journey toward becoming a top college running back began with his early commitment to Clemson. He joined the Tigers in January 2021 as an early enrollee, giving him a head start on the program’s strength and conditioning regimen and the playbook. The opportunity to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, combined with Clemson’s strong track record of developing running backs, made the school a natural fit. By the time the regular season began, Shipley had already impressed his coaches enough to be named the team’s starting running back ahead of the matchup against North Carolina State.
As a freshman, he finished the year with 739 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 149 carries, adding 16 receptions for 116 yards and 14 kickoff returns for 380 yards. Those numbers confirmed that he could be a three-down back and a difference-maker on special teams, the same combination of skills that would eventually make him a valuable role player at the next level. Heading into his sophomore year, he appeared on watchlists for the Wuerffel Trophy and the Paul Hornung Award, both honors that recognize well-rounded and high-character athletes.
Will Shipley Career
Early Career at Clemson (2021)
Shipley’s first college season in 2021 served as a launchpad for what would become one of the more decorated careers in Clemson’s recent history. He took over as the Tigers’ lead back early in the schedule and provided a steady combination of power running, receiving production, and field-flipping kick returns. The 739 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns he posted were a strong indicator of his ability to handle a heavy workload against top-tier competition.
In addition to his rushing numbers, his 14 kickoff returns for 380 yards showed that he could change field position in an instant. Coaches praised his preparation, and teammates recognized him as a dependable presence in the locker room. The foundation he built as a freshman set the stage for an even more impressive sophomore campaign.
Clemson Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Shipley’s sophomore season in 2022 represented the peak of his collegiate career. Operating as Clemson’s featured back, he rushed 210 times for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 38 receptions for 242 yards and 13 kickoff returns for 324 yards. That production earned him first-team All-American honors and first-team All-ACC recognition as an all-purpose player, awards that placed him among the most complete running backs in college football that year.
He followed that performance with a strong junior season in 2023, continuing to serve as a focal point of the Clemson offense. By the time he declared for the NFL draft, he had cemented his reputation as a polished, every-down back with the speed to bounce outside, the toughness to finish runs between the tackles, and the hands to be a reliable outlet in the passing game. His special-teams value also remained a major selling point for NFL evaluators.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
Shipley was selected in the fourth round with the 127th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, joining a backfield headlined by Saquon Barkley. He made an immediate impact on kickoff returns and provided depth at running back, contributing both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. The biggest moment of his rookie season came in the NFC Championship Game, when he scored the first touchdown of his career in the final minutes. He carried the ball on every play of an 80-yard drive, highlighted by a 16-yard run, a 57-yard run, and a 2-yard touchdown run that helped seal the victory.
He was a member of the Eagles roster that won Super Bowl LIX 40–22 over the Kansas City Chiefs, recording one kick return for 25 yards in the game. Through his first two NFL seasons, his career totals include 44 rushing attempts for 131 yards, 13 receptions for 91 receiving yards, and 950 return yards, a stat line that reflects his evolving role as a versatile complementary piece in Philadelphia’s offense and special teams.
Playing Style and Strengths
Shipley is known for his quickness, vision, and balance, traits that allow him to make defenders miss in tight quarters and to accelerate through creases in the offensive line. He is equally effective as a pass catcher and a kick returner, giving his coaching staff a flexible chess piece on game day. His track record of productive special-teams work, combined with his reliability in pass protection, has made him a trusted option in the Eagles’ offensive game plans.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his NFC Championship Game heroics, Shipley’s most notable milestone remains his role on the Super Bowl LIX championship team. Earning a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season is a rare achievement, and his continued growth in the return game suggests more big moments are ahead.
Will Shipley Career Highlights
Will Shipley’s career highlights begin with his decorated run at Clemson and continue through his early NFL tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. As a sophomore in 2022, he earned first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC honors after totaling over 1,400 scrimmage yards. In the NFL, he has already added a Super Bowl championship to his résumé and produced one of the most memorable rushing touchdowns of the 2024 postseason.
College Highlights
Shipley’s college career featured two strong seasons at Clemson, highlighted by his 2022 first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selections. He finished that year with 1,182 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, plus more than 240 receiving yards and 324 kickoff return yards, an all-purpose stat line that few running backs in the country could match.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Shipley has contributed primarily as a kickoff returner and complementary running back for the Eagles. He has accumulated 950 return yards and scored his first professional touchdown during the NFC Championship Game, helping send Philadelphia to the Super Bowl. His Super Bowl LIX ring is the most significant achievement of his professional career to date.
Will Shipley Family
Family Background and Athletic Lineage
Shipley grew up in a deeply athletic household in Weddington, North Carolina. His brother played college lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania, and the two even won a state lacrosse title together while attending Weddington High School. The Shipley family’s support for multi-sport development helped shape Will’s well-rounded athletic profile.
Personal Life
Shipley remains closely tied to his hometown community in North Carolina and continues to be recognized for his dedication to a wide range of sports. His journey from Weddington High School to the NFL has been marked by the steady encouragement of his family and his own disciplined approach to training and competition.
2025 Season Performance
Will Shipley entered the 2025 season as a returning Super Bowl champion and an established member of the Philadelphia Eagles’ backfield and special-teams units. Following a rookie year in which he contributed 950 return yards and an NFC Championship Game touchdown, expectations in Philadelphia are that he will take on a larger role in the offensive rotation. His speed, route-running, and pass-protection skills give the Eagles confidence that he can handle an increased workload as a complement to Saquon Barkley.
Through the early part of the 2025 campaign, Shipley has continued to provide value on kickoff returns while chipping in as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. The Eagles’ offensive scheme, which emphasizes balance and tempo, offers him opportunities to exploit linebackers in the passing game. His 13 career receptions and growing chemistry with the quarterbacks suggest that he is being featured more often on designed touches rather than relying solely on opportunistic plays.
Looking ahead, Shipley’s primary objectives for the 2025 season include expanding his rushing totals, maintaining his status as one of the team’s most reliable returners, and helping Philadelphia defend its Super Bowl title. With his combination of youth, versatility, and championship experience, the Eagles view him as a key building block for the next phase of their contender window.
