NFL buzzing about Spiller's diverse ability

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The most gratifying ovation Clemson running back C.J. Spiller received did not come after any of his 32 career rushing touchdowns, 11 touchdown catches, seven kickoff returns for touchdowns or even the two touchdown passes he threw.

It was a standing O from the Board of Trustees at Clemson when he graduated last December after 3 1/2 years.

"I wasn't expecting that at all," Spiller said. "That's why people say you never know who's watching. You have to always know how to carry yourself on and off the field. To get that was a humbling experience."

Spiller, a 5-foot-10 1/2, 196-pounder with blazing speed, should be receiving plenty of applause in the NFL, where he is expected to be a top-15 pick in the April 22-24 draft.

The primary reason he did not declare for the draft after his junior year was Spiller's desire to graduate.

"I wanted to be an example to younger guys and to my younger sister as well," Spiller said. "You've got to look at everything. Education can take you a long way, so I wanted to be an example to younger kids."

Some compare Spiller to New Orleans' Reggie Bush for his multidimensional skills. In four college seasons, Spiller became the only player in NCAA history with at least 3,200 rushing yards, 1,600 yards on kickoff returns, 1,000 receiving yards and 500 yards on punt returns. He was the only Division I player to score a touchdown in each of his team's games last season and came within one kickoff return of matching the single-season NCAA touchdown record of five.

"He is tremendously fast, electrifying as a runner, receiver and a return man," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. "He's also considered to be one of the best character guys Clemson and the ACC have ever had."

Perhaps Spiller's most memorable play was a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Maryland last year when he ran the final 60 yards with just one shoe.

"That was a great return," Spiller said. "I wasn't really looking for them to kick me the ball deep. We went into the game with them not really kicking it. Once they did, I just read my blocks. My shoe came off, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from running."

Spiller, the 2009 ACC Player of the Year, is flattered by the comparisons to Bush, the former Heisman Trophy winner and now Super Bowl champion with the New Orleans Saints. Bush is not only explosive with the ball but also can serve as a decoy and turn other players into threats.

"Everybody's going to compare me to whoever," said Spiller. "Like I tell people all the time, every running back is different. 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."

Spiller, like Bush, is a tremendous threat as a receiver, having caught 123 passes for 1,420 yards in his college career.

"I take great pride in receiving," he said. "That's something I grew up enjoying doing. Baseball kind of got my catching really good. That helps a running back. The more a running back can add to his game, I think the more dangerous he can become to defenses. ... It's just another opportunity to help the offense."

Bush, at 6-foot and 200 pounds, hasn't been able to be an every-down back, but Spiller believes he can carry 20 to 22 times per game in the NFL.

"I think I get stronger as the game goes on and get a better feel," he said. "But that's not my decision to make. That's going to be up to the coaches, what they think and how they use me."