Davis and Spiller Named to Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List

Aug. 22, 2007

New Haven, CT-Clemson running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller have been named to the preseason Watch List for the 2007 Walter Camp National Player of the Year Award. Thirty-five players from around the nation were named to the Watch List for the award that honors the best all-around player in college football.

Clemson was the only school in the nation to have two running backs named to the list and one of just eight schools to have more than one player selected regardless of position. Michigan was the only school with three selections, while Clemson was joined by West Virginia, Southern California, Wisconsin, Texas, LSU, and California with two apiece. Matt Ryan, quarterback from Boston College, was the only other ACC player on the list.

The Walter Camp Award will be announced on the ESPN/Home Depot College Football Awards show in December. The winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation’s Annual National Awards banquet on Jan. 12, 2008 in New Haven, CT at Yale University.

Davis, a junior from Atlanta, GA, was a first-team All-ACC selection last year when he gained 1187 yards and scored 17 touchdowns, all rushing. He had a career high 216 yards in Clemson’s win over Georgia Tech. Spiller, a sophomore from Lake Butler, FL, was a first-team freshman All-American last year when he gained 938 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. His 7.3 yards per carry figure was fourth best in the nation and best by an ACC player since Warrick Dunn had a 7.5 average for Florida State in 1995.

Davis and Spiller combined for 2125 rushing yards and a 6.4 average to go with 27 touchdowns last season. It was the most total rushing yards by two running backs on the same Clemson team. The two averaged 163.5 rushing yards per game, the third best combination in college football in 2006.