21 Players in 21 Days: #3 Isaiah Spiller

Isaiah Spiller

Position: Running back

Classification: Junior
Hometown: Spring, TX
Listed Height: 6-1
Listed Weight: 215

Key notes from Olin’s analysis of Spiller

• We were doing this list last year and talking about Isaiah Spiller, who was about #6 or #7. I said we found out that he was good as a freshman, and the question was how good? He's All-American good. He ran for 1,000 yards without the stat-padding game. If he plays Ole Miss, he probably leads the SEC in rushing.

• I don't know what Isaiah Spiller doesn't do. He doesn't have that breakaway speed, but he runs fast enough to make big plays. He cuts so well, and he runs with power. He blocks really well, and he catches the ball out of the backfield.

• Remember that it wasn't until the second half vs. Vanderbilt that you thought he should be the starting running back. After that Florida game, he started every game. You had to get Ainias Smith and Spiller on the field at the same time. Alternating them was not successful.

• Spiller was going to have a historic game vs. South Carolina, but he got hurt. He dealt with some injury issues last year and played through a lot.

• There was a play against Arkansas where Kellen Mond had to step up from the rush. Isaiah Spiller pushed off the guy that was pressuring him. That touchdown pass to Ainias Smith doesn't happen without Spiller.

• He's a complete back, and he's more of an NFL back than a college back. I saw that somebody had a list that didn't have Spiller in their top eight. That's just ignorance. Everything he does screams 'elite running back.'

• We're talking about Haynes King's speed, but you can make the case for Jimo Fisher going to the wishbone with Spiller at fullback and Smith and Devon Achane in the backfield. They won’t do that. Still, you're going to see a lot of defensive coordinators call timeout against this Aggie backfield.

• Something you don't appreciate unless you see him all the time is the cuts Spiller can make. He's a one-cut guy. I have seen him make some cuts downfield. He is an elite running back.

• There is so much talent on this offense. People say it's a swiss army knife, but this is a smartphone with so many apps.

Follow the entire 21 players in 21 days series here.