Tyjae Spears 2023 NFL Draft Running Back

Tyjae Spears, running back, 2023 NFL Draft, Tulane

Tyjae Spears 2023 NFL Draft Running Back

This 2023 NFL Draft scouting report on Tyjae Spears is from Justin Caballero of Digging in the Trenches. Make sure to check the links and tags below this draft profile for more prospects!

2023 NFL Draft: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane

Tyjae spears, 2023 NFL Draft, Running back, Tulane

Rating scale: 1 Poor 10 Elite

Caballero loves the elite speed that Tyjae Spears brings to the running back position. This RB prospect seemed to get better every season while at Tulane. Will bring big play potential to the team that selects him in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Spears can score from anywhere on the field using his speed. Runs laterally really fast as well creating space to run upfield in an instant. Great agility as he stops and goes on a dime seemingly without losing a step. “Tyjae can juke defenders out of their socks,” said Caballero. Not only is he fast and agile but can but is tough as well. A good combination of speed and vision makes him stand out while watching the film according to Caballero. Seems to have eyes in the back of his head as well when he senses oncoming tacklers coming at all angles.

Excellent in many phases of the game. Spears of course can take handoffs to the house but has really developed into a receiving threat as well at Tulane. Caballero said, “Hand it to Tyjae, direct snap it to him, or throw it to him but make sure to get him the ball.” A capable blocker when called upon in pass protection but more of a chip blocker. Really exciting to watch and his one of the most complete backs in this year’s draft class.

Tyjae Spears should also be an asset in the return game in the NFL if a team puts him with those special team duties.

By the Numbers

Rushing & Receiving Table
						Rushing				Receiving				Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
*2019	Tulane	American	FR	RB	4	32	192	6.0	1	5	133	26.6	1	37	325	8.8	2
*2020	Tulane	American	FR	RB	3	37	274	7.4	2	2	30	15.0	0	39	304	7.8	2
2021	Tulane	American	FR	RB	12	129	863	6.7	9	19	145	7.6	0	148	1008	6.8	9
*2022	Tulane	American	JR	RB	14	229	1581	6.9	19	22	256	11.6	2	251	1837	7.3	21
Career	Tulane					427	2910	6.8	31	48	564	11.8	3	475	3474	7.3	34

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 3/10/2023.

The Prospect Sheet

Tyjae Spears attended Ponchatoula High School in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Not as highly recruited coming out of high school as some prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. But, he did have offers from Southern Mississippi, Texas State, and Tulane. He chose to stay in his home state to play with The Green Wave of Tulane.

NFL Scouting combine participant.

Draft projection: 3rd to 4th round

Overall, Caballero says that Spears is one of the most exciting players to watch in this draft. He feels that Spears can be a big playmaker in the NFL.