CARD: Upper Deck College Legends 2011 ACQUIRED: EBay, 2020
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Kendall Hunter played college ball for the OSU Cowboys from 2007-10.
In both 2008 and 2010 he rushed for over 1,500 yards, and had over 20 catches.
He was named as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award in his senior season, and finished his career with 4,181 yards and 37 TDs on 708 carries.
Due primarily to his size, 5’7″, 199, Hunter wouldn’t be selected until the 3rd round of the 2011 draft by the San Fransisco 49ers.
During his time in the league from 2011-2015, Hunter saw action in 45 contests, starting 1 in his rookie year.
He had a career high 473 yards on 112 carries and 16 catches for 195 yards.
Used primarily as a 3rd down or as a change of pace back, Kendall ran for 1202 yards on 262 carries for the 9ers.
Was released after the 2014 season, when he spent the entire year on IR due to a knee injury.
Signed with the Saints in 2015, late in the year to spell injured Mark Ingram.
Briefly joined the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2017, but retired soon thereafter.
NOTES:
Who knows how Kendall would’ve performed if he was shoved into a role with a team that used him as a primary back in a run n shoot or spread set up? He definitely had a set of wheels on him, and some great college number to prove it.
Ran for 1,212 yards and 12 TDs his Senior season, accumulating 3,547 total yards on the ground over his 4 years with the Tigers.
Also displayed explosive skills as a kick returner and punt returner accumulating 8 TDs.
Was selected 9th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
Spiller quickly ascended the depth chart, surpassing both Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch in the lineup.
Rookie season was considered a disappointment, but still managed to produce his share of highlights with a 95 yard KR TD.
It’d be in 2012, CJ really came into his own, running for a career high 1244 yards and 6 TDs on 207 carries.
He’d also catch 43 passes for 459 yards and 2 TDs including a 66 yarder.
CJ followed up 2012 with a solid ’13 outing, posting 933 yards on 202 carries.
Unfortunately injuries derailed the remainder of his career, as over the next 4 years, he’d be limited to just 7 starts in 29 contests.
After his time in Buffalo concluded, CJ hopped over to New Orleans.
He’d catch an 80 yard TD that season- Marking QB Drew Brees 400th passing TD.
Released in 2016, Spiller saw some playing time with the Seahawks and Jets that season.
In his final season with the Chiefs, Spiller was an emergency back for the team, and was literally on and off the roster multiple times throughout 2017.
After a few years off, Spiller went into coaching.
As of 2022 he’s a RB coach at his Alma Mater, Clemson.
ACCOLADES:
College Football Hall of Fame
Pro Bowl 2012
Jersey Retired #28 (Clemson)
NOTES:
While CJ’s career in the pros was limited, he had moments of absolute breathtaking electricity. The pass he caught from Drew Brees (for Brees 400th TD), sparked some laughs, embarrassment, and controversy. It came in OT against the Dallas Cowboys and was the first play from scrimmage, as OT rules end games if a team scores on the first possession.
Two late card set additions that I like here from Panini in both the 2015 Prestige set and the Rookies & Stars set (2013). I really like how the Prestige set is very minimal, although I’m not a huge fan of the transitioned edges. The focus is on the player and the name. That’s it. Pretty classy.
The Rookies & Stars set from 2013 was something I got into late. I loved the 2009 and 2010 set, but I absolutely hated the 2011 and ’12 sets. That caused me to take my time checking out this set. One of my big complaints about cards is that it doesn’t feel as though they are proud of their designs. They just don’t showcase them on the sides of the box. Spiller’s card is top notch in this set and I like the design and look as it’s pretty unique.
