Who's Next? ... CJ Spiller

CJ Spiller

Height/Weight: 5'11"/195 lbs.

Running Back

Hometown: Lake Butler, Florida

School: Clemson University

Pro Team: Buffalo Bills

When Clemson tailback James Davis graduated after his senior season and went to the NFL Draft, many thought his backfield mate, CJ Spiller would suffer in his absence. After all, Davis was the "Thunder" to Spiller's "Lightning", the guy who would split carries with the scat back and soften up the defense on certain downs and goal line situations. The doubters asked how would Spiller, a back under 200 pounds who had never handled the full load of an offense suddenly become the fulcrum of Clemson's attack? Furthermore, it was said he would not be able to produce running behind a fairly mediocre Clemson offensive line. They were wrong. In his senior season, CJ Spiller ran for 1212 yards on 201 attempts, averaging 5.6 yards a carry. He accumulated 21 touchdowns during the year, between kick and punt return duties, along with carries and receiving. Spiller proved to the nation that he was the most electric college player since Reggie Bush's days at USC. He became the the only player this season to score a touchdown in five different ways (rushing, passing, receiving, kick return, and punt return). Awards began to mount after Spiller's season ended: ACC Player of the Year, a unanimous AP All-American selection, and sixth in the Heisman trophy balloting. On April 22nd, as everyone had predicted, Spiller was selected in the top half of the first round by the Buffalo Bills. He is expected to compete with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch for carries, and Spiller will complement last year's first round pick CB Leodis McKelvin on punts and kickoffs right away for the 2010 season.

Watching Spiller run is similar to watching Reggie Bush in action. Although he lacks size and strength, he is a dynamic athlete who is blazingly fast and quick. Spiller's speed is proved by medals he received in the 100 and 200 meter dashes as the Florida state champion. He is as multi-faceted as a player in the the draft, and is as adept catching a pass out of the backfield as he is taking a handoff in a one back set. Spiller is tough to bring down and with quick cut moves, can accelerate past defenders. Although the name of the game with Spiller is elusiveness, when called upon he can run between the tackles into contact with fairly good success. With Spiller, think a less physical Chris Johnson, with around the same amount of speed and more versatility. In the NFL, although he may never be a primary back, CJ Spiller is a playmaker who will be a perennial All-Pro for years to come.

-JS