C.J. Spiller Scouting Report

C.J. Spiller had to deal with splitting carries with James Davis for most of his career. Even without the entire workload, Spiller has put up some great numbers. As a freshman, Spiller tallied 938 yards on the ground and 12 total trips to the end zone. In 2007 Spiller rushed for 768 yards, but it was during that season he emerged as a great pass catcher out of the backfield. The 5-11 back caught 34 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. In 2008 Spiller totaled 629 rushing yards, 436 receiving yards and ten total offensive touchdowns. The big question after Spiller opted to return to Clemson for his senior season was how well he could manage the workload on his own. After all, Spiller is a 5-11, 195 pound speed back. Through five games the results have been relatively mixed. Spiller is handling the carries and easily leads the team with 360 rushing yards, but his yards-per-carry numbers are down and he only has one rushing touchdown through five games. However, the lack of production can be blamed on a lackluster offense. Spiller's speed and quickness should make him one of the top running backs in this class. In this day and age of multiple running back teams in the NFL, Spiller is the perfect compliment to a power back. 1/17 Update: Spiller racked up a plethora of postseason awards for his play during the 2009 season. He ended the year with 1,212 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns and added 503 receiving yards with four more trips to the end zone. While Spiller will almost certainly be a great back in the NFL and the first one off the board in April, it is his ability to return kicks that makes him so special. During 2009 alone Spiller returned four of his 23 kickoffs for a touchdown and one of his eight punt returns for a score. 3/1 Update: Spiller should still be the first running back off the board, but many do not see much of a difference between Spiller, Jonathan Dwyer, Ryan Matthews or Jahvid Best. Spiller may be the most explosive and Best is the fastest, but in this day and age of multiple back systems, few teams are willing to reach for Spiller when they could get somebody nearly as good in the second round or later in the first round. Spiller will be a first round pick, but it probably will not be until later in the round.