The Senior Bowl MVP and one of the most productive players in college football last year, Tulane running back Tyjae Spears hopes to keep his production on the upward trend as he moves forward to the 2023 NFL draft.
Here is everything you need to know about the Green Wave’s weapon:
Vitals
Height: 5-10
Weight: 195
Class: Junior
Strengths
A ridiculously productive player at Tulane, Tyjae Spears exploded this year for the Green Waves being their clear running back one and top weapon on the field with over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. Over his four-year career with the team, he has averaged a ridiculous seven yards.
As a runner, Spears is explosive with excellent top-end speed, agility, and quickness. He possesses agile feet that allow him to dodge and weave defenders who penetrate early and has a good first step cut that allows him to speed through holes into the second level where his twitchiness and quick-cutting ability truly shines. He excels at setting up blocks in front of him, and is hard to get a read on in the open field, often blowing past defenders who make any hesitation in bringing him down.
As a pass catcher Spears is among the best in his class at the running back position; with fantastic hands, and short area quickness he is a threat to take the ball to the house on any given play. He is truly dangerous in the open field, and any way in which you can get the ball into his hands in the open field is a plus for this twitchy runner who can bounce off defenders and make people miss in the open field. He was not asked to show off his receiving skills that much at Tulane, but the talent is clearly there on glimpses.
Weaknesses
Tyjae Spears has an undersized frame for the position which may naturally limit his production at the next level as a three down back. He will need to try and fill out that frame in the weight room without losing his excellent twitch and agility.
He also struggles when defenders halt his momentum behind the line. While he can dodge initial break throughs, if he has to stop his feet there is not a lot of creativity to be had and he can get stuffed for losses should things break down. He will need to work with NFL coaches on improving his instincts and toolbox as a runner in the backfield, he has the tools to do it.
Projection
Tyjae Spears is a highly productive, explosive, and speedy talent who will have the opportunity to start in the league. His versatility and twitch make him a dangerous third-down back who needs to be accounted for out of the backfield, but he is not limited to just that role, as he clearly has the physical tools to be an effective runner at the next level. Teams may be hesitant to give him a lead-back role given his frame and lack of answers to disruption, but he can improve on those with time. In a league where running backs need to do more and more, Spears will prove valuable in most offenses.
Projection: Top 70 Pick
