The versatile playmaker who scored touchdowns in five different ways
In short: In 2009, Clemson's C. J. Spiller achieved a feat of versatility rarely seen in football history. He became the only player in the nation to score touchdowns through rushing, passing, receiving, and both kick and punt returns in a single season.
A standout for the Clemson Tigers from 2006 to 2009, Spiller's collegiate career was defined by extreme all-purpose production. During his senior season, he was a unanimous All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. He notably became one of only five players to ever accumulate 7,000 all-purpose yards, and he set an FBS record by recording seven career kickoff return touchdowns. He was also a recipient of the ACC Player of the Year award. Additionally, he earned a spot as an All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selection.
Spiller's ability to impact the game in multiple facets was most evident in 2009, when he was the only FBS player to score a touchdown in every single game of the season. During that year, he and teammate Jacoby Ford reached a historic landmark as the top all-purpose pair in NCAA history, surpassing the previous mark set by San Diego State's Marshall Faulk and Darnay Scott. His exceptional performance during that campaign earned him a sixth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting.
After choosing to return to Clemson for his senior year despite being projected as a first-round pick, Spiller was selected ninth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2010 NFL draft. His professional career spanned nine seasons across several teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs. In 2012, he achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching 1,000 rushing yards in just 154 carries, the fewest required to reach that mark since 1934. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and the Seattle Seahawks during his professional tenure.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: C. J. Spiller
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