25 best college football players not in the College Football Hall of Fame (yet)

25. C.J. Spiller, Clemson, RB

C.J. Spiller was one of the most explosive running backs during his time with the Clemson Tigers. He made the Top 20 on FanSided list of top running backs of the 21st century. He played four years for the perennial powerhouse.

He gets his possible enshrinement because of his pure playmaking ability. He wasn’t the best running back during his era, but when it’s combined with his ability as a return man, it’s hard to compete. During his senior season alone, Spiller had 12 rushing touchdowns, four receiving touchdowns, four kick return touchdowns, and one punt return touchdown.

He was crucial in Dabo Swinney’s first year at Clemson. His 2009 senior season coincided with Swinney’s first full season at Clemson. The team went 9-5 and won the Music City Bowl to end Spiller’s career. The year Spiller left, Clemson dropped to five wins.

Spiller has the records to back up his Hall of Fame claim. He has more kick returns for touchdowns than any player in college football history. He also became one of five players in the history of the sport to have 7,000 all-purpose yards. His senior year ended with him finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.

It was a wonderful career that definitely has a shot at making the Hall of Fame. He has some things working against him, like never having a real chance at a National Championship and never being a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Still, his career was one of the best when it comes to an overall weapon.