It’s not often players picked in the final round make a huge impact, but Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney believes Mafah can defy the odds. He stated that Mafah is “special person” and “a guy that everybody in the organization is going to absolutely love.”

With the 239th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Clemson running back Phil Mafah. Mafah was the second running back selected by Dallas on Day 3. The team took Texas’ Jaydon Blue in the fifth round.

Clemson running back Phil Mafah is officially NFL-bound. The Dallas Cowboys selected Mafah with the 239th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday, making him the third Tiger taken this year after Barrett Carter and R.J. Mickens.