Popular Sleeper Pick, Tulane RB Tyjae Spears, Enters Name In 2023 NFL Draft

The Tulane Green Wave secured an exciting come-from-behind 46-45 victory against the vaunted USC Trojans in the Cotton Bowl. Running back Tyjae Spears led the charge for Tulane, surpassing the 200-yard mark on the ground and finding the end zone four times Monday afternoon. Spears declared for the 2023 NFL Draft shortly after, where he profiles as a potential steal on the second day of the event.

Spears took on an increased role in the offense in 2021, his first year seeing consistent playing time with the program. In 2022, his life would change forever. Spears carried the ball 229 times, recording 1,581 yards (6.9 ypc) and 19 touchdowns, and spearheading one of the best seasons that Tulane fans have ever witnessed.

Tyjae Spears faces stiff competition heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. The running back position is chock-full of talent, with nearly double-digit ball carriers earning day 1 or 2 grades. Right now, Spears holds a third-round grade on my Big Board, which could prove to be too low, as the 2022 breakout star is a threat to take any touch to the house.

The trait that jumps out the most with Tyjae Spears is his pull-away speed with a head of steam. If he gets out in space, defenders struggle at consistently tackling him. Though small by NFL standards, Spears is a pain to try and corral out of the backfield. His one-cut running style racks up several broken tackles and highlight-reel plays on tape.

Furthermore, Spears is a decisive runner and is still improving his vision behind the line. His patience is exceptional, which allows the offensive line to create holes, freeing Spears up to rattle off some monster gains. The shifty running back possesses elite acceleration, and this will make his adjustment to NFL speed significantly easier.

The area that can turn Tyjae Spears into a household name is the passing game. In 26 appearances since 2021, Spears only hauled in 41 total receptions. A big reason for this is his lack of size, which makes him a liability in pass protection against stronger defenders. To avoid being labeled a situational back, Spears needs to bulk up and become a better blocker to reach his untapped potential as a pass catcher.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back is an NFL Draft darling, with many analysts tabbing him as one of the most exciting prospects in the class. I share that same sentiment and envision a long, prosperous NFL career for the Tulane standout. Tyjae Spears will blow teams away during the pre-draft process, and assuming his measurements check out, it would be a surprise if he makes it out of the Top 100 selections of the 2023 NFL Draft.