Spiller must prove he can handle an NFL workload

NFL teams have taken 32 running backs in the first round since the 2000 draft, but only Chris Johnson was listed at less than 200 pounds. But Johnson, who was selected by Tennessee with the 24th pick in 2008, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.24 seconds.

Johnson led the NFL in rushing last season with 2,006 yards.

Spiller, a track sprinter and former state champion in the 100 and 200 meters in Florida, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the combine. He's expected to be the first running back selected in the NFL draft, which will be held April 22-24.

"Spiller brings a lot to the table," said Gil Brandt, legendary former personnel director of the Dallas Cowboys.

In addition to his speed and quickness, Spiller is strong.

"He threw the [225-pound] bar up 18 times, which for a running back is pretty good," Brandt said.

In the NFL, durability will be the question for Spiller, but he's used to his size being questioned.

In addition to Johnson, the only other sub-210-pound backs taken in the first round over the past 10 years were Reggie Bush (203) in 2006, Michael Bennett (207) in 2001 and Trung Candidate (205) in 2000.

"I play the game with a lot of passion, and I’m going to go out there and compete at the highest level, no matter my size or my height," Spiller said. "I know what I can do as a football player."

Spiller scored 51 career touchdowns, including 21 of 50 yards or more.

He's most often compared to Bush.

"I tell people all the time, every running back is different," Spiller  said. "I can’t go to an organization and try to be Reggie Bush. It’s just not going to happen. The only thing I can do is just try to go be C.J. Spiller. ... Even to be mentioned in that company is a humbling experience for me."

Spiller believes he can run between the tackles in the NFL.

"That’s pretty much what we did at Clemson," Spiller said. "We ran inside."

Spiller also was a thrilling return man. He had 23 kickoff returns for 755 yards (32.8 per return) and four touchdowns last season.

He credits his explosiveness in the return game to his ability to read blocks and making decisions while on the move.

"Hopefully, you can give your offense good field position, and hopefully it’ll turn into a big play," Spiller said. "I take a whole lot of pride in playing on those special teams, especially kickoff return and punt return."

If things don't work out for Spiller, he already has his degree.

"That was my main goal for going back [for his senior year] -- to graduate," Spiller said. "I wanted to be an example to younger guys and to my younger sister as well. You’ve got to look at everything. Education can take you a long way, so I wanted to be an example to younger kids."

Spiller got a standing ovation from the Clemson administration at his graduation.

After Spiller, the running-back group is considered pretty deep for this draft.

Fresno State's Ryan Mathews, Georgia Tech's Jonathan Dwyer and California's Jahvid Best could join Spiller in the first round.

Last year only three running backs -- Georgia's Knowshon Moreno (Denver), Connecticut's Donald Brown (Indianapolis) and Ohio State's Beanie Wells (Arizona) -- were selected in the first round.

"You try to get good players wherever you can get them," New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese said. "Sometimes you can get value in the fourth round with running backs, and sometimes you can get good value in the seventh round. We picked Ahmad Bradshaw in the seventh round."

Falcons running back Jason Snelling, who ran for 147 yards in the season finale in 2009, was selected in the seventh round in 2007.

Spiller will be long gone by then.