2023 NFL draft: 10 biggest offensive standouts from 2023 East-West Shrine & Senior Bowl events

#2. Tyjae Spears, Tulane (RB)

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - Tulane v USC

You probably at least saw Spears flash across your screen a couple of times this past season. He cracked 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2021 already, before being the driving force Tulane’s Cinderella 12-2 season last year. He exploded for over 1,800 total yards and 21 TDs, making him the AAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Spears was the biggest winner of measurements, weighing in at 202 pounds, despite having the reputation of a change-of-pace/scat back by some who scout off physical dimensions. However, for people watching the tape, this guy breaks way more tackles than you’d expect.

In a setting that favors guys with great explosive traits, this kid was able to on a show. When given a runway, you saw that explosion through the hole and ability to clear the second level in a hurry. He had one that stood out the first day and would’ve been off to the races on several occasions on one-cut schemes the second practice.

More importantly, he showed the ability to effortlessly make cuts that allow him to get around the edge when defenders didn’t take care of their contain assignments. His cat-like quicks in tight areas were on full display.

On day two, he made a crazy 90-degree cut to the outside once during the inside run portion. He somehow was able to keep his balance and it almost looked like a player on Madden, where the replay would make you think “this wouldn’t happen in real life.”

Later on, he caught a swing route for massive yardage during seven-on-seven’s and had a home run call where he wasn’t touched. He sliced around blockers and made the safety miss the first time he touched the ball during full team period.

Still, Spears will have to play a major role on passing downs to maximize his skill-set. Even though it didn’t count because the coaches said triple-breaks weren’t allowed, he kind of went viral with a clip from the competition period that kicked off day three.

He ran this pivot route vs. Pitt LB SirVocea Dennis Dennis, where he went on an out initially, before sticking his outside foot in the ground to pirouette back inside. He did that while ducking underneath the defender and his quicks and ankle flexibility looked unreal there.

He got run over by Jackson State LB Aubrey Miller Jr. once during pass-pro drills of day two. But on the second one he stood his ground and was able to get enough of him, to guide him off track. NFL executives voted him the overall Player of the Week.