Spiller's future still undecided
CLEMSON — If Clemson running back C.J. Spiller doesn't already have your number in his cell phone — don't bother calling him because he's not picking up.
With the NFL draft less than six months away and Spiller a lock to be a first-round pick, the consensus is that Spiller will forgo his senior season.
AP
Clemson running back C.J. Spiller will return to school for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft.
"If your number is not programmed into my phone, I usually don't answer it," Spiller said at Tuesday's weekly press conference. "People, agents haven't been really trying to contact me or my mom. We're really trying not to get involved in that. My mom really wants me to focus on this season and finishing out the season strong.
"At the end of the season we'll let that stuff take care of itself. So, if your number isn't programmed in, don't bother. I'm not answering."
With the season coming to a close, Tigers fans might only get two more chances to see No. 28 in a Clemson uniform.
The return of interim coach Dabo Swinney could have a major impact on Spiller's decision to return in 2009. Swinney and Spiller have developed a close relationship since the "Lightning" half of the "Thunder and Lightning" backfield arrived on campus in the summer of 2006. It was Swinney who recruited Spiller and eventually convinced him to leave the state of Florida and sign with the Tigers over the likes of Florida, Florida State and Miami.
"I don't have any control over who our next head coach will be," Spiller said. "I've been saying all along that we'd love to see Coach Swinney come back and be our coach next year. If Coach Swinney is back it will make my decision a lot easier. For me, I'm just going out, having fun and enjoying these last couple of weeks while he's still my head coach."
Audio clip
Post and Courier reporter Andrew Miller talks with Clemson freshman linebacker Brandon Maye about this week's game with Virginia.
But financial considerations might trump the return of Swinney. Spiller's girlfriend and 2-year-old daughter,
Shania, who moved to the Atlanta area recently, might tilt him toward the NFL draft and the potential millions of dollars he could earn next year.
"It's not something I'm going to worry about until the season is over and I can sit down with my family," Spiller said.
One thing is certain: As long as Swinney is the head coach, Spiller will be the focal point of the Tigers' offense.
"This is not a complicated game," Swinney said. "If you have good players, you use them. You get them the ball. We want to make sure our horses are getting plenty of water, and C.J. is no different. It's fun to coach C.J. because you can get him the ball so many different ways."
Reader poll
Will Dabo Swinney return next season as Clemson's football coach?
- Yes 32% 97 votes
- No 67% 197 votes
294 total votes.
In the last three games — against Boston College, Florida State and Duke — Spiller has 460 yards of total offense and six touchdowns.
Swinney said he will sit down with Spiller and his family after the season.
"We'll get all the factual information and go through it," Swinney said. "We'll consult different people and go through the process, and I'll support him either way. I'll say one thing about C.J. — he's his own man and he's not afraid to make his own decision.
"I know graduating is very important to him and his mom. No matter what decision he makes, I'll support it 100 percent."
With just two games left in the regular season and possibly his career, Spiller can't help but ponder his future.
"Sometimes I think about it and sometimes I don't," Spiller said. "After the season is over, that's when I'll really start to think about it."
Note
Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will not replace Tommy Bowden as the next Clemson head coach. On Tuesday, Texas Longhorns, Inc. announced the Muschamp will take over for Mack Brown when he retires.
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Comments
ed52 (anonymous) says...
spiller has a need for headlines . the big$ clemson boosters don't give a dang if you leave or not. they see the bigger picture.
November 19, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
OMG!Spiller stays=complete idiot! Orange kool-aid OD alert!
Take the money and run boi! legally too! ! ! LOL!
November 19, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
sbs---there's only one complete idiot and he posted the stupid comment above.
"Take the money and run..." gamecock fans best hope he leaves after this year. CJ Spiller = Percy Harbin and we just saw what Harbin did to that vaunted usuck defense last weekend. Make no mistake, Spiller is just as capable (if not moreso---Harbin actually has an offensive line to run behind) of doing the exact same thing to your team.
Keep whistling in the dark as you walk past that graveyard overcrowded with former gamecock teams who lost THEIR last regular season game too.
November 19, 2008 at noon ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
I'm absolutely sure Spiller is as good as Percy Harbin, I believe Percy Harbin lives in Iva, SC somewhere, but PErcy HArvin from Florida is leaps and bounds ahead of Spiller. Spiller has never done close to what Harvin did to SC the past two years. I've seen absolutely nothing this year to think anything different of him.
The fact that you're trying to compare any part of the Florida team to any part of the Clemson team is laughable if not obsurd.
November 19, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
uscsux---the only thing laughable on this message board is the fact that you have no freakin' idea how to spell absurd........wait, I guess that could've been a typo since the "O" and "A" are so close on the keyboard.
But hey, its not just my opinion. I've heard TWO announcers this season (one on ESPN and one on CBS) say that Spiller is the best player in the country. You can disagree or agree with their assessments if you like---but it was certainly said. Also, for the record, I never compared Clemson's football team to UFla's football team.
And if you're unable to see the phenominal similarities between Spiller and Harbin---size, speed, moves, vision---then you'd qualify as................as a gamecock fan.
November 19, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TAR1 (anonymous) says...
Ariver, spiller is def. one of the best backs in the country. However I don't think he saw the end zone against USC last year and that was with a veteran O-line. He may score on USC but not like Harbin. Harbin's O-line makes hole for him to run thru like he's running down I-26.
November 19, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
TAR1---true on all accounts...but again, I think the similarities between Spiller and Harbin as players are remarkable
November 19, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cockwalk (anonymous) says...
Just 1 quick comment. I noticed the correction on uscax with the word absurd, but seriously can't anyone get Percy Harvin's name right? Regardless of who is better, Harvin probably likes his choice in schools a little bit more than Spiller does at this point as he will likely have 2 championships in 3 years. They will both play in the NFL and they will both do well. BTW thanks for the recruits! http://rivals100.rivals.com/teamrank....
November 19, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
Not a problem cakewalk....thank you for 64 or so victories---almost twice as many the last time I looked. &One never knows about recruits until the name's signed on the dotted line...Clemson wins its last two games---well, lets just say anything can and has happened.
Also, thanks for the notification on HarVin's correct name spelling. I believe you're right about both he and Spiller playing on Sundays
I'd love to see UFla and USC (the real one) play for the NC---wouldn't want to have to play either of those teams right now.....and I mean no disrespect to Alabama who also has a terrific team w/a terrific staff nor to Texas Tech......the gators and Trojans both look unbeatable to me the last few weeks.
November 19, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
Again I have to ask who is PErcy Harbin??? sorry about not spelling correctly ashleyquiver, might as well stoop to your level, just with the name calling, not intelligence. Can you tell me who the two guys saying he was one of the best backs in the nation? Is he even in the top 50 total yards nationally? He's not even top 10 in the ACC. He's is not as good as Harvin at all, I've even seen HArvin break a tackle once. Can't say the same about Spiller.
November 19, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cockwalk (anonymous) says...
Cakewalk, that's nice, maybe I'll change my name to that.
I can't say anything to the victory total there and nobody will ever say being a Gamecock fan is easy. I don't want to get into the whole "real" USC argument anyway, it's old and beaten into the ground. Since the University South Carolina was founded before California was declared a state, I leave it there.
As for the game, I think it should be a pretty good one assuming the loss to Florida didn't sting too much. We play better on the road typically and I'll be there to watch. I wouldn't look past UVA though, they beat UNC, Ga. Tech, and Maryland. You don't want the SC game to be a must win.
November 19, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
That would be fun to see how well Spiller would do in Harvin's place, given that UF has been run blocking way more aggressively this year compared to last.
And yeah, he'll probably look around, see who's going pro, and wait to put together even more of a highlight reel so pro scouts can see that he is consistently productive and can do more of the little things like route running. no, not something like pass blocking, which is a waste of his talent though...smart scouts would know that.
Hopefully someone would point out how wrong the draft advisory board is to all college underclassmen when it comes to where they 'might' be drafted.
November 19, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fjms (anonymous) says...
uscsax, I don't think spiller will have the same type of game that Harvin had this year but just to correct you, Harvin did not play last year against the shamecocks.
November 19, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
fjms, at what point did I say he did? I was speaking of Spiller over the last two years not Harvin, sorry if the sentence structure confused.
November 19, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Whopper (anonymous) says...
Spiller would be stupid to stay with a losing program if he is projected a top draft pick. Just ask Cullen if he would do it again. I think after Va waxes clemson this weekend it will be clear that he and Dabo are gone and the long road to rebuilding begins. It's amazing that every team in the ACC except clemson, duke and NC state still have a shot at the all cupcake--I guess that's why all the former clemson recruits are coming to a winning program at Scar. Clemson fans should be ashamed, very ashamed at the product they put on the field after all the hot air from Ashley River and others on this board. So very wrong they were!! 12-0, not gonna happen their river boys. What a great season of football. Congrats Ashley River for talking the most trash with 0 to back it up. We'll see if you are right about the big game, but your predictions for clemson football this year signals you are probably full of hot air . . . again.
p.s. thanks for the recruits farmer boy. Nice job holding it together.
November 19, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
We will still bitch slap you in a few weeks cock fans. How long can Spurrier take being the joke of the SEC ?
November 19, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
Whopper--or whoever else you pretend to be......you can't possibly be as stupid as the above post indicates, but lets take a look anyhow:
1)Show me where I made any sort of prediction about how many games Clemson or usc would win this season
2)"Spiller would be stupid to stay with a losing program"???? Where do you get that from???Clemson hasn't had a losing season in a decade and has been bowl eligible every one of those years as well and may be this year. Shall we waste mucho bandwidth while I recount the 110 years football humiliation you idiots have undergone?? In the dictionary, under "losing program" there's a huge gamecock insignia. Don't take my word for it, ask any of your brethren.
3) "I guess thats why all the former Clemson recruits are coming to a winning program at Scar"---Again, as per my post above, those recruits backed off commitments to Clemson after the Bowden resignation....after last weeks usuck debacle and after Clemson beats usucK on the 29th, you'll probably see a bunch of those folks take a long look at where they're going FOR NOW....NO ONE'S signed anything yet. Clemson has begun to recontact all those folks and will have a new coach named in 3 wks
4)"Clemson fans should be ashamed, very ashamed at the product they put on the field after all the hot air from Ashley River and others on this board" ---this makes absolutely no sense at all. Its just stupid.
5) "p.s.thanks for the recruits farmer boy. Nice job holding it together." Still utilizing stereotypes your greatgrandfather thought were funny. Tell ya what, anytime you want to compare degrees let me know---and I'll also be very happy to post any collegiate rankings in the last 10 years--but trust me when I tell you, you won't like what the rest of the educated world thinks of usuck. You can't be very old (and certainly not very bright)--but for just for your edification, I'm not a boy. Your feeble attempts at some sort of revenge for the humiliation you've undergone using whatever other handle you employ have failed miserably......and in hopes your grammar will improve: "not gonna happen their river boys"....its "THERE", dimwit. You definitely need to attack someone your own age and mental deficiency
November 19, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
youidiotyo,
Joke of the SEC? We are finishing third in the east; Clemson will probably end up being 5th in the Atlantic, in a tired weak conference. Who's a joke? You were predicted to win the ACC and go to a BCS bowl; you're not even going to qualify to go play in the "pay to play" bowl on the blue grass out west. Who's a joke? You touted your quarterback as a Heisman candidate, by week 4 you wanted him benched. Who's a joke? Your school goes on record as saying Tommy Bowden was not fired, yet you are going to pay his buy-out. If a coach resigns the school doesn't have to pay the buy-out. Who's a joke? We get beat badly by the more than likely eventual national champions, you beat Duke, you all decide to start talking again and now your juggernaut of a team is going to roll all over us like Florida, I've seen Florida sir, and you are no Florida.
November 20, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
softbatch (anonymous) says...
USC is going to finish 3rd?????? You must need a visual to help your with math.
Florida 7 1
Georgia 6 2
Vanderbilt 4 3
So Carolina 4 4
Looks like 4th to me. Even if Vandy ties USC at 4-4, they own the tiebreaker.
November 20, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
tiebreakers only apply for the division lead or conference lead, tiebreakers don't matter. In final season rankings they are either order by alphabet or notated as both teams being 3. Vandy is listed ahead now because of the winning percentage difference. I don't quite think they're going to beat Tenn. this weekend.
I like how out of the entire post this was your response. the truth hurts huh?
November 20, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
Didnt Duke beat vandy?
November 20, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
When someone hangs 56 on you ( at least it was not 63)that makes you a joke.
November 20, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
I don't know youidiotyo, didn't MAryland lose to Middle Tennessee St? Didn't Maryland get shutout by Virginia?
I'd say going from preseason ACC champs to one of the first three teams eliminated from ACC competition makes you far more a joke than getting 56 put on you by a team that's been putting up around 50 on top 25 teams the last 4 weeks will win the SEC Champ game and most likely the National Title. I'd love to see Clemson play Florida, it'd look like your game against the Citadel in reverse.
November 21, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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