For the first time in a decade, Clemson has a new coach handling its running backs.
After serving as a grad assistant last season, CJ Spiller steps into his new role as running backs coach and does so with a group that is loaded with talent. Offensive coordinator Tony Elliott, who now oversees the tight ends, says the transition has been relatively smooth.
“What an awesome job he did stepping into the new role,” Elliott said Thursday on The Packer and Durham Show. “I know it’s tough. I’ve been in that position coaching backs for 10 years, recruiting those guys. You know, those are my babies. It has been a seamless transition and those guys have really bought in to his mentality, his philosophy, his approach.”
However, Spiller is entering his new job just as the school’s all-time leading rusher Travis Etienne moves onto the NFL and will now be responsible for naming the Tigers next starting running back.
Right now it appears that Lyn-J Dixon and Kobe Pace are the leading candidates to win the job, although it’s a competition that will very likely last well into fall camp and maybe even extend into the season.
Spiller does have a multitude of talent to choose from, though. The Tigers could go five deep at running back. In fact, Elliott thinks each back competing for the job has what it takes to be the featured back in this Clemson offense.
“What you saw is that was probably the most competitive group throughout the entire team this spring,” Elliott said. “Those players were really getting after it. Showing flashes from Lyn-J to Mikey Dukes to (Will) Shipley to (Phil) Mafah and then you got Kobe Pace, who played a little bit as a freshman. Those guys are pushing each other. I’m just excited. As I’ve said before, the rotation is going to take care of itself through competition, but all those guys are capable of being the guy.”
