Phil Mafah has made a remarkable journey from a four-star high school recruit to a seventh-round NFL draft pick. The 22-year-old running back from Georgia has caught the attention of NFL fans with his powerful running style and incredible toughness.
In this article, you will know Phil Mafah’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more about this rising star who recently joined the Dallas Cowboys.
Phil Mafah’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Phil Mafah |
| Date of Birth | October 24, 2002 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Education | Grayson High School, Clemson University (Management degree) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 234 pounds (106 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2025 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000 |
| Salary/Career Earnings | $4.31 million (4-year contract) |
| Wife | Kitana Burgard |
| Instagram Profile | @pcmafah |
| Twitter Profile | @PhilMafah1 |
Early Career
Phil Mafah’s football journey began in the suburban town of Loganville, Georgia, where he attended Grayson High School. His parents, who immigrated from West Africa, initially wanted him to play soccer due to their familiarity with the sport.
However, Mafah fell in love with American football in third grade and never looked back. At Grayson High School, he became a standout player, accumulating 2,526 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns throughout his high school career.
His senior season was particularly impressive, as he carried the ball 130 times for 1,130 yards and 18 touchdowns. Mafah helped lead Grayson to a perfect 14-0 season and a state championship.
Despite facing some injuries during his high school career, including a broken collarbone in 2019 that sidelined him for four games, he proved his resilience and determination. His outstanding performance on the field earned him recognition as a four-star recruit, ranking among the top 200 players nationally according to various recruiting services.
Professional Career
Phil Mafah’s college career at Clemson University showcased his evolution from a backup player to a featured running back. He arrived at Clemson as the first commit of the 2021 recruiting class and was initially expected to redshirt his freshman year.
However, due to injuries in the backfield, he was thrust into action and made an immediate impact. As a true freshman, he played in nine games with one start, rushing for 292 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries.
During his sophomore and junior years, Mafah shared carries with Will Shipley, forming one of the most dynamic backfield duos in Clemson history. In 2023, he and Shipley became just the seventh pair of running backs since 1948 to both exceed 750 rushing yards in a season.
His breakout moment came in the 2023 Gator Bowl against Kentucky, where he scored four rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner with 17 seconds remaining, earning him MVP honors.
His senior year saw him finally take over as the primary back, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns despite playing through a shoulder injury for most of the season. The Dallas Cowboys selected him with the 239th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Wife
Phil Mafah is engaged to Kitana Burgard, a track and field athlete from Syracuse University. The couple began dating in 2023 and got engaged just weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft.
Burgard is a redshirt sophomore who competes in sprinting events, with personal bests including a 7.49-second time in the 60-meter dash and a 24.45-second time in the 200-meter. She has achieved notable success in college athletics, finishing third in both the 60-meter dash at the 2025 Crimson Elite and the 200-meter at the 2024-25 Eagle Elite Invitational.
The couple frequently shares their relationship on social media, with Burgard posting supportive messages about Mafah’s football career. When he was drafted by the Cowboys, she celebrated with a simple but heartfelt “Go Cowboys” message on Instagram.
Their engagement announcement featured biblical verses, reflecting their shared faith. The couple appears to have a strong relationship built on mutual support for each other’s athletic careers and shared values.
Phil Mafah’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Phil Mafah’s estimated net worth is approximately $500,000.
Contract
Mafah signed a four-year, $4.31 million rookie contract with the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The contract includes $111,532 in guaranteed money, which comes entirely from his signing bonus.
As a seventh-round pick, his contract follows the NFL’s rookie wage scale, which provides structured compensation for drafted players. The deal runs through the 2028 season, with the Cowboys holding a team option for each year of the contract.
Salary
His 2025 salary breakdown includes a base salary of $840,000 and a signing bonus of $111,532, giving him total cash earnings of $951,532 in his rookie year. The salary structure increases each year, with base salaries of $1,005,000 in 2026, $1,120,000 in 2027, and $1,235,000 in 2028.
His cap hit for 2025 is $867,883, representing just 0.28% of the Cowboys’ salary cap. The contract structure is typical for late-round draft picks, with minimal guaranteed money but the potential for significant earnings if he makes the roster and contributes.
Career Earnings
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Total Cash |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $840,000 | $111,532 | $951,532 |
| 2026 | $1,005,000 | – | $1,005,000 |
| 2027 | $1,120,000 | – | $1,120,000 |
| 2028 | $1,235,000 | – | $1,235,000 |
| Total | $4,200,000 | $111,532 | $4,311,532 |
Career Stats
| Season | Games | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Rushing Average | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 | 68 | 292 | 4.3 | 3 | 7 | 50 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 98 | 515 | 5.3 | 4 | 9 | 48 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 179 | 965 | 5.4 | 13 | 21 | 108 | 0 |
| 2024 | 14 | 216 | 1,115 | 5.2 | 8 | 21 | 103 | 0 |
| Career | 50 | 561 | 2,887 | 5.1 | 28 | 58 | 309 | 0 |
FAQs
1. What position does Phil Mafah play for the Dallas Cowboys?
Phil Mafah plays running back for the Dallas Cowboys and was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft as the 239th overall pick.
2. How did Phil Mafah perform at Clemson University?
Mafah had an outstanding college career, rushing for 2,887 yards and 28 touchdowns over four seasons while maintaining a 5.1 yards per carry average throughout his time with the Tigers.
3. What makes Mafah stand out as a running back?
His combination of size at 6’1″ and 234 pounds, powerful running style, and ability to break tackles makes him effective in short-yardage situations and as a goal-line specialist.
4. What awards has Phil Mafah received during his career?
Mafah earned Third Team All-ACC honors, was named 2023 Gator Bowl MVP after scoring four touchdowns, and was a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy for academic excellence.
5. What is Phil Mafah’s contract situation with the Cowboys?
He signed a four-year, $4.31 million rookie contract with $111,532 guaranteed, earning $951,532 in his first year including his signing bonus and base salary.
