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| C.J. Spiller | |
|---|---|
| Name | C.J. Spiller |
| Birth date | 1987-08-04 |
| Birth place | |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 200 lb |
| College | Clemson |
| Position | Running back |
| Nfl draft | 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9 |
| Teams | Buffalo Bills; New Orleans Saints; Seattle Seahawks; New York Jets; Kansas City Chiefs |
C.J. Spiller is an American former professional American football running back and current coach known for his speed, return ability, and receiving skills. He played college football at Clemson University where he earned All-ACC and All-American honors before being selected in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Over his National Football League career Spiller also played for the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs and later transitioned into coaching at collegiate and professional levels.
Spiller was born in Northampton County, North Carolina and raised in Canton, North Carolina, attending Pisgah High School (Canton, North Carolina) where he excelled in football, track, and basketball. In high school he played for the Pisgah varsity under coaches who competed against programs such as Davie County High School, East Rutherford High School (North Carolina), A.C. Reynolds High School, and participated in regional recruiting circuits scouted by staff from Clemson University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Florida State University, University of Miami (Florida), and University of Georgia. His senior-year performance drew attention from national media and recruiting services including Rivals.com, ESPN, Scout.com, and 247Sports.
At Clemson University Spiller played for the Clemson Tigers football program under head coaches Tommy Bowden and Dabo Swinney, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference against teams such as Florida State Seminoles football, Virginia Tech Hokies football, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football, Miami Hurricanes football, and North Carolina Tar Heels football. He led the Tigers in rushing and all-purpose yards, earning selections to the All-ACC football team and receiving All-American honors from organizations including the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press, and Sporting News. Spiller established school and conference records for all-purpose yards, kickoff return touchdowns, and single-season rushing performances while playing alongside teammates like DeAndre Hopkins, Anthony Collins (American football), and Da'Quan Bowers in bowl games such as the Gator Bowl and the Orange Bowl.
Spiller was selected ninth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and signed a rookie contract that began his NFL career during the tenure of Bills coaches including Chan Gailey and Doug Marrone. He became a primary kickoff returner and starting running back, posting seasons that saw him contend with players like Fred Jackson (American football), Stevie Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, and LeSean McCoy (LeSean McCoy) for league rushing and return statistics. Injuries and coaching changes affected his role as he later joined the New Orleans Saints during the Sean Payton era, spent time on the Seattle Seahawks roster in the same organization that drafted Russell Wilson, appeared with the New York Jets under coaches such as Rex Ryan, and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs during the period of Andy Reid. Throughout his professional career he recorded NFL milestones including 1,000-yard all-purpose seasons, kickoff return touchdowns, and playoff appearances tied to franchises that included the Bills, Saints, Seahawks, Jets, and Chiefs.
After retiring from active play, Spiller entered coaching and joined staffs at programs affiliated with universities and professional organizations such as Clemson University, North Carolina State University, University of South Carolina, Buffalo Bills scouting or developmental initiatives, and NCAA teams competing in conferences like the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference. He served in roles focused on running backs, special teams, and player development during periods that overlapped with coaches including Dabo Swinney, Dave Doeren, Will Muschamp, and NFL personnel involved with player personnel departments. His coaching trajectory included mentoring players who would later compete in the NFL Draft, participate in bowl games such as the Citrus Bowl and Gator Bowl, and play for programs that produced NFL talents like Deshaun Watson, Trevor Lawrence, and Sam Darnold.
Spiller's playing style combined the acceleration and open-field vision compared to contemporaries such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, Calvin Johnson (for receiving upside), and DeSean Jackson (for speed), while his pass-catching and blocking brought him comparisons with backs like Marshall Faulk and Reggie Bush. He influenced special teams schematics for kickoff returns and contributed to discussions about player utilization in spread offenses implemented by coordinators from programs including Clemson Tigers football and NFL teams like the New Orleans Saints. His legacy includes induction into institutional halls of fame, recognition on conference all-decade lists, and a continuing presence in football through coaching, mentoring prospects preparing for the NFL Draft, and community programs linked to organizations such as NFL Players Association and regional foundations in North Carolina.
Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:American football running backs Category:Clemson Tigers football players Category:Buffalo Bills players