Together with his 2023 NFL Draft scouting report, the place does Tulane RB Tyjae Spears issue into the 2023 working again class? As a Group of 5 competitor, he’s naturally underrated at occasions — however Spears may find yourself being probably the greatest working backs from all the group.
Tyjae Spears NFL Draft Profile
Place: Operating Again
College: Tulane
Present 12 months: Redshirt Junior
Peak/Weight: 5’11”, 195 kilos
Watching Spears on tape, you wouldn’t even know he tore his ACL three video games into the 2020 season. Spears by no means misplaced the explosiveness that earned him his collegiate alternative. In actual fact, he’s by no means seemed extra explosive than he did within the lead-up to the 2023 NFL Draft cycle.
As a three-star recruit within the 2019 cycle, Spears obtained work straight away in Tulane’s backfield as a real freshman. He logged 32 carries for 192 yards and a rating however went on to surpass all of these numbers in simply three video games the following yr.
Spears was on tempo for a real breakout season as a sophomore, however a torn ACL halted his plans to dominate the school soccer stage. For Spears, nevertheless, it was only a slight delay on an inevitable path to stardom.
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In 2021, Spears put up 863 yards and 9 touchdowns on 129 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per try. Then, in 2022, he emerged as a dominant drive, amassing 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns on 229 makes an attempt. For good measure, Spears added 22 catches for 256 yards and two further scores.
Spears’ inventory is as excessive because it’s ever been. And with a powerful Senior Bowl and NFL Mix displaying, there’s an opportunity the Tulane RB may crack the early rounds and go off the board larger than most count on him to.
Tyjae Spears Scouting Report
Strengths
Extraordinarily explosive and dynamic athlete with a hyperactive fashion and potent burst.
Excessive-end explosiveness permits him to clear congestion rapidly on the second degree.
Twitchy ball provider who can effortlessly throttle up and alter angles out of cuts.
Has the inventive instincts to attract defenders out of lanes with preliminary angles.
Processes second-level lanes rapidly and assaults house with creativity and burst.
Has the full-field imaginative and prescient to increase runs previous the second degree and dart by means of house.
Tenacious runner who can pry by means of arm tackles with pressing foot velocity and zeal.
Has shocking contact steadiness for his measurement and might recoil and flex out of tackles.
Flashes very good receiving capability, splitting out huge and lengthening with physique management.
Has near-elite instincts after the catch and might immediately make defenders miss.
Areas for Enchancment
With undersized body, naturally isn’t going to bowl by means of contact constantly.
Lacks elite contact steadiness and may be halted by direct contact up the center.
Generally freezes early in reps when the backfield collapses and may be swallowed up.
Generally runs a bit too upright in house, which might enable defenders inside his body.
At occasions may be over-confident in capability to splice by means of lanes, working into congestion.
Doesn’t fairly have breakaway velocity within the deep third.
Keen go blocker who can sq. up defenders however typically struggles to maintain.
Tulane RB Tyjae Spears Present Draft Projection
Spears is a small-school prospect with massive aspirations and large potential on the subsequent degree as nicely. For me, Spears grades out as a possible top-75 prospect and a possible top-five participant at his place. His dynamic capability is within the elite tier, and a standout displaying on the Senior Bowl may vault him even larger for groups.
Spears has a lethal mixture of elite traits, amongst them explosiveness, agility and twitch, and artistic instincts in any respect ranges. Not solely is he a hyperactive runner with blistering foot velocity and snappy short-area athleticism, however he additionally has the management, imaginative and prescient, and consciousness to make use of that athleticism effectively and with calculated aggression in opposition to defenders.
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To make his profile much more thrilling, Spears has surprisingly stable contact steadiness for his measurement. Together with his hyperactive fashion, Spears pries by means of arm tackles and recollects his toes with ease. He’s additionally a high-level receiving risk. His working capability interprets extraordinarily nicely after the catch, however Spears additionally runs routes and extends past his body for powerful passes.
Spears’ three-down utility solidifies his inventory within the early-round vary. He’s not an elite go protector, however he’s at the least prepared and brings good method.
At beneath 200 kilos, Spears’ measurement barely limits his potential as a workhorse again. However in a space-dominated trendy NFL the place dynamic weapons rule, Spears is about as dynamic because it will get. He may be an impression starter and a real offensive catalyst in each phases.
Tony Pauline’s Scouting Report for Tyjae Spears
Strengths: Explosive, game-changing working again who can be efficient catching the ball out of the backfield. Shows excellent imaginative and prescient in addition to working instincts, runs low to the bottom and behind his pads, and retains his toes shifting.
Extremely fast and can choose and select spots on the within. Makes defenders miss and avoids piles. Shortly cuts again in opposition to the grain, loses little momentum altering path, and possesses an amazing burst of velocity. Quick sufficient to show the nook or beat defenders into the open subject. Works, runs, and doesn’t go down and not using a combat. Excellent receiver who adjusts to the errant throw or will get all the way down to scoop up low passes. Shows excellent route self-discipline.
Weaknesses: Not a big-bodied again who will choose up a lot yardage off preliminary contact. Gained’t be capable of deal with loads of carries on the subsequent degree.
General: Spears is a well-rounded RB with a three-down recreation, however he has measurement limitations. He’ll be a really productive third-down again on Sundays and might even be used as a situational starter or share the ball. I totally count on Spears to be productive as a rookie and have an impressive NFL profession.
