33-TD Running Back Predicted as ‘Sophomore Sensation’ for Eagles

In the history of the NFL, only 9 players have rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season. In 2024, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley became one of them.

Of those 9 players, none of them have ever done it twice. For good reason. The wear and tear a player’s body goes through to get to that point is more punishment than the average human body takes in a lifetime, much less over the course of 5 months in an NFL season.

Both the Eagles and Barkley got maximum return out of his big year by not only winning a Super Bowl but by Barkley bringing home NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors — the first player in franchise history to win the award. and became the highest paid running back in NFl history.

Expecting the same statistical results from Barkley in 2025 would be foolish on behalf of both player and team, especially if they want to have a legitimate chance to repeat as champions.

While the Eagles signed a veteran running back to help lighten Barkley’s load with A.J. Dillon on a 1-year, $1.337 million contract, the real answer might be second year running back Will Shipley, who flashed big time potential in Philadelphia’s dominant win over their NFC East rival Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game.

While Dillon might be a solid insurance policy, Shipley, who is only 22 years old, might be the more electric option and a true Sophomore Sensation in 2025.

“Most NFL rookies don’t get the opportunity to make an impact in the NFC Championship Game,” Philadelphia Sports Nation’s Michael Thomas Leibrandt wrote. ” … Rookie running back Will Shipley, after forcing a fumble and helping to provide the Eagles with excellent field position on Special Teams, broke free for a 57-yard run in the fourth quarter. When he was tackled on the six-yard line, there was little question who would punch the ball in for paydirt two plays later.”

Incredibly Bad Timing at All Times for Shipley

The fact Shipley isn’t already a bigger star seems like a lot of bad luck on his part.

Shipley was the nation’s No. 2 rated running back recruit for the Class of 2021 but didn’t even get to play his senior season because of the pandemic.

He enrolled at Clemson in January 2021 — right around the start of the NIL era and boom of the transfer portal — and right around when Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney openly disavowed both then watched his program get left in the dust. After making the playoff 6 consecutive season before Shipley joined the team, they missed the playoffs each of his 3 seasons there.

Shipley still had over 1,000 all-purpose yards each of his 3 seasons and scored 33 total touchdowns. He left school with one season of eligibility remaining and solidified his draft stock by running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at NFL scouting combine — good enough for the Eagles to take him in the fourth round (No. 127 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.

As a rookie, Shipley was a special teams ace, with his biggest action coming on kickoff returns. In the playoffs, he had his best game of the year against the Commanders with 4 carries for 77 yards and 1 touchdown, along with 1 forced fumble, then had a 25-yard kick return in a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.