Tyjae Spears

PRO: The Titans selected Tyjae Spears in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11-inch, 195-pounder is a dynamic and explosive running back with superb instincts and the ability to play on all downs on offense and contribute in the return game. The Ponchatoula, La., native spent four years at Tulane (2019-22) prior to entering the NFL. His collegiate rushing totals included 2,910 yards and 31 touchdowns, and his 6.8 yards per carry from 2019 to 2022 ranked second in the nation behind only Alabama-Birmingham's DeWayne McBride (minimum 400 attempts). Chosen by the Titans with the 81st overall draft pick, Spears became the highest pick from Tulane since running back Matt Forte in 2008 (44th overall by Chicago).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 
•   In 2022, Spears ranked fifth in the FBS with 1,581 rushing yards, and his 21 total touchdowns (19 rushing, two receiving) tied for the most in the nation. His 19 rushing touchdowns tied for third in the country. He was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
•   In Tulane's Cotton Bowl victory over Southern California on Jan. 2, 2023, Spears rushed for 205 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, winning Most Outstanding Offensive Player honors. 

TITANS TIDBITS:
•   Spears has worked with a non-profit organization in New Orleans called Son of a Saint, which provides "mentorship, education, recreation, camaraderie, cultural enrichment, emotional support and helping to fill the void for dozens of fatherless young men."
•   Growing up on the New Orleans area, his favorite player was former Saints running back Reggie Bush.
•   Spears is one of nine children in his family (five brothers and three sisters). 
•   His first job as a teenager was working at Walmart. 

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
•   The Ponchatoula, La., native was selected by the Titans in the third round (81st overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:
•   Spears appeared in 33 games with 20 starts at running back during his career at Tulane. He totaled 2,910 yards and 31 touchdowns on 427 carries and added 48 receptions for 564 yards and three scores. He ended his career as the school's all-time leader in yards per carry (6.8), tied for second in 100-yard rushing games (15), tied for third in rushing touchdowns (31), fourth in rushing yards per game (85.6) and sixth in rushing yards (2,910) and total touchdowns (34). His 6.8 yards per carry from 2019 to 2022 ranked second in the FBS behind only Alabama-Birmingham running back DeWayne McBride's 7.3-yard average (minimum 400 attempts).

AS A JUNIOR (2022), started all 14 games for the Green Wave, totaling 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns on 229 rushing attempts and adding 22 receptions for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Named Honorable Mention All-American by Phil Steele, American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-AAC. Tied for the national lead with 21 total touchdowns and tied for third in the country with 19 rushing touchdowns, a total that ranked second in Tulane single-season history. His 1,581 rushing yards led the conference and made up the Green Wave's all-time second-highest single-season total. Tallied nine 100-yard rushing games, including eight consecutive such efforts to finish the season. Helped the Olive and Blue earn a 12-2 record and win an American Athletic Conference title. The team's ninth-overall ranking was the second-best finish in program history.
•   Against Massachusetts (9/3), opened the season with 12 carries for 57 yards and three touchdowns and added two receptions for 32 yards.  
•   At South Florida (10/15), rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 75-yarder.
•   At Cincinnati (11/25), set a career mark with 35 carries, rushing for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
•   Against Central Florida (12/3), helped deliver a 45-28 AAC Championship victory with a Yulman Stadium-record 199 rushing yards and a touchdown.
•   Against Southern California in the Cotton Bowl (1/2/23), rushed 17 times for 205 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, winning Most Outstanding Offensive Player in Tulane's 46-45 victory.

AS A SOPHOMORE (2021), appeared in 12 games with three starts. Led the team in rushing with 129 carries for 863 yards and nine touchdowns in addition to 19 catches for 145 yards. Rushed for over 100 yards in four of the last five games of the season.
•   At Memphis (11/27), closed out the season with a career-high 264 rushing yards with two touchdowns. His 264 rushing yards tied for the fifth-highest total by a player in the nation in 2021. It was the fourth most in school history and the most by any player other than Matt Forte.

AS A REDSHIRT FRESHMAN (2020), saw action in three games (three starts) before he suffered a season-ending injury. Finished fourth on the team in rushing with 274 yards and averaged 7.4 yards per carry.
•   Against South Alabama (9/12), opened the year with 105 yards on only 11 carries.
•   Against Southern Miss (9/26), rushed for 50 yards on eight carries and had two touchdowns before exiting with a season-ending injury.

AS A TRUE FRESHMAN (2019), totaled 192 yards rushing, 133 yards receiving and finished with a pair of touchdowns in four games. Used a redshirt to retain eligibility.
•   Against Missouri State (9/14), had a career-best 88-yard touchdown reception to go along with eight rushes for 89 yards and a score.
•   Graduated from Tulane in December 2022 with a degree in health and wellness.

PERSONAL: 
•   Attended Ponchatoula (La.) High School, where he earned three-star ratings from 247Sports.com and Rivals.com.
•   As a senior at Ponchatoula, recorded 920 rushing yards and 880 receiving yards with 18 total touchdowns.
•   Also participated on the track and field team in high school.
•   Follow Spears on Twitter at @tyjae22, on Instagram at @twotwo4six and on TikTok at @tyjaespears.
•   Son of Margene Spears & Nicole Hart.
•   Born Tyjae Armon Spears on June 15, 2001 in Hammond, La.