(2022) Isaiah Spiller - Running Back - Texas A&M

6'1

225 lbs

Junior 

Write-Up:

Isaiah Spiller is a Junior running back who comes in at 6’1, 225 lbs. Spiller is extremely elusive while not being the most powerful. He has elite-level acceleration and is very explosive through holes and running lanes. Paired with this, Spiller is a very patient runner, and waits for better opportunities to open up rather than run downhill immediately. His strongest part of his game is his shiftiness and he displays great footwork on nearly every run. Spiller is able to utilize cutback lanes extremely well and is dependable to shed a tackle or two when he has the ball. While his speed is not off the charts, he possesses enough speed paired with his explosiveness to break runs to the outside if need be. Spiller is a dependable run blocker, especially on chip blocks, but may be overpowered by NFL-level rushers without help. He can be utilized in the receiving game, as a shifty screen/checkdown target, but his footwork also allows him to be a solid route runner as well, however, he needs to work on his hands. 

At Texas A&M, he was mainly used in Zone run schemes from Shotgun formations, so it is unclear how he will fare in more Pro-Style offenses. Despite his ability to break into open space frequently, he is often caught down the field against speedy DB’s. Spiller does need to work on securing the football to prevent fumbles, which there were some concerns about while in college. He is not a particularly strong running back as he would much rather juke around defenders than go through them.

Overall, Isaiah Spiller projects to be a solid starting running back at the NFL level. He has the potential to become a workhorse back, but I see him more as somebody who gets between 8-12 carries a game due to the lack of power at times in his game. 

Breakdowns:

2021-

VS South Carolina (4-3)

18 Carries, 102 yds, 1 TD. 3 Rec, 20 yds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IPbvcESzIk

• Decent run/pass blocker, solid at chipping blocks when needed.

• Very patient as a runner, not a straightforward downhill runner.

• Explosive and shifty when he finds a running lane, especially for somebody his size

• Ability to be used in the receiving game, though it is not his main strength.

• Used mainly in a zone running scheme, from shotgun formation; read options

• Definitely not slow, but he gets into open space from quick footwork more often than breakaway speed.

VS #16 Arkansas (3-0)

12 Carries, 95 yds, 1 TD, 5 Rec, 26 yds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnteMpMDB1A 

• Very fast, enough to bounce outside if need be on runs. Able to cut back inside or outside despite the called play

• Every once and a while, he can be too patient on a run and will get tackled for a loss.

• Elite acceleration, though not the greatest breakaway speed.

VS Mississippi State (2-2)

16 Carries, 100 yds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIt0QEUbJMw

• Ball control can be a slight problem, same with hands when catching the ball.

Overall Grade: A-

Projected Draft: Late 1st, 2nd Round Pick

NFL Comparable: Arian Foster