ACC Kickoff: Clemson running back Phil Mafah ready for bigger role

all right here in Charlotte at ACC media kickoff alongside uh running back number one now Phil mafa um so many people have talked about how your role is going to change in your senior year but how do you see it change this season uh just being able to be vocally there for my teammates and I know I'm going to be taking more carries so just being able to keep my body right put the right things in my body and just be able to be there mentally yeah you talk about that physical and mental preparedness what's steps have you taken to be prepared I'll would say one just watch more film and um the biggest step I've taken is just in my faith honestly I feel like I said this many times as my faith grows um all parts of my life seem to grow with it so as I get closer to God you know ask him for discernment peace you know that thing those things just seem to come and um it keep me locked in it keeps me ready and uh keeps me motivated each and every day definitely stepping into a bigger leader role and you've got a big running backs room um that you're leading as well one of those guys is Jarvis Green who's a local out of the Midlands um in Columbia where our station is from I was wondering what have you seen from him um and what you hope to see from him this fall I've seen him grow a lot this year um I I see from him uh to make a lot of big plays honestly you know he can he's a versatile guy he's big he can catch out the back field um I I definitely see growth in his game from this year from last year to this year so I expect big things from him also a lot of returners especially you got RJ mickens that returned as well some guys that could have gone to the draft like yourself but you decided to stay what do what does that say about the culture at Clemson that you guys want to come back and do something it shows that's a place where players want to be you know where they feel valued at and um you know they treat us great over there you know having a coach like coach Sweeny who really believes in us uh makes you want to play for him and I'm I'm not surprised that the guys came back to stay one more year because you know I did it too and there's definitely a reason behind it having a great coach a great culture you know it's hard to leave one of the guys that did go to the draft is Will Shipley obviously a friend of yours you'll be taking some of his reps and snaps as well um kind of what's your goal and do you take anything from what he's done to bring into your role this year oh yeah Wills taught me a lot honestly him being my roommate he taught me we worked hard both together in school and out of school so he just taught me how to work hard and you know how to just be a good friend good leader and I just hold I just help I just um want to uphold that and um um I I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job right now but I just want to be able to keep the standard for the team and just be able to help my teammates uh go where they want to go so and most importantly Phil I just want to you know little quick fit check here because you're looking really good in the suit we got an all black suit some purple and then tell me tell me walk me through this fit right now what was the inspiration you know I just got the got the tie from my dad you know it's one of my dad's favorite ties so I wore it today got the little purple shirt you know Clemson purple and I got some black and white shoes just to match the suit you know what kind of shoes are those uh they're called diesel oh fancy fancy well you got to take good care of that tie clearly if it's your dad's favorite awesome well thank you so much Phil looking good good luck out there today thank you