Created: 12/21/2009 6:47:37 PM 
CLEMSON - There's not much C.J. Spiller can teach Andre Ellington about running with a football, but Ellington said he watches because there are still lessons to be learned from the most dynamic running back in Clemson University football history.
"Running the ball takes care of itself," Ellington said, "that's second nature to me.
"Our main focus is to not have any drop-off after C.J. leaves, try to take another step up and get into another gear. He's tried to prepare us for that."
Only time will tell if Ellington, Jamie Harper and Sumter's Rod McDowell will be enough to replace Spiller.
"I think we're in pretty good shape at running back with Andre and Jamie," said Coach Dabo Swinney. "And I'm telling you, y'all are going to love Hot Rod."
Ellington and Harper are second and third behind Spiller's 1,145 rushing yards this season. Ellington has rushed for 471 and four touchdowns in his freshman season. His 7.4 yards per carry are second-best in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Harper, a sophomore, has 339 yards and three touchdowns. Prorated, Ellington was actually more productive than Spiller, Harper slightly behind. With a comparable number of carries to Spiller's 201, Ellington projects to 1,487 yards and 13 touchdowns and Harper 1,035 and 10 touchdowns.
"The good thing about Andre and Jamie is that they've both had some pretty significant snaps this year when games were on the line," said offensive coordinator Billy Napier. "I think for Andre in particular, this is his first year of significant playing time; this is where guys make their biggest jump, from their first significant year to their second."
Napier said he's curious about how Ellington and Harper will respond now that the door is open for them to be featured backs.
"I'm anxious to see how these guys are going to work in the offseason," he said. "Obviously it's very important that Jamie continues to work on his body, keeping himself in good shape.
"Andre, as we've seen this year when given the opportunities, can be really productive."
Harper chiseled 20 pounds from his frame last offseason and came back quicker and more durable. Napier said he talked to Ellington recently about adding five or six pounds of muscle, "to get ready for the toll and pounding his body will take throughout the year."
"These guys came here to do this," he said, "and they're both really good running backs."
Napier and Swinney are also high on McDowell, a freshman from Sumter who worked with the scout team this fall. In style, he's more like Ellington as Ellington is to Spiller. "He's put on a good bit of strength and muscle," Napier said. Ellington played in an offense similar to Clemson's at Berkeley High, so his recognition in zone-blocking was more instinctive than even Spiller, a wing-T back in high school. One area in which Ellington believes he needs to improve is in pass blocking, but he's already thinking about taking a larger role next season.
"Each and every play I think about being a leader out there," he said. "The more experience you get, the better off you'll be in the long run.
"I felt like I contributed the best I can, but there's still a lot I can put out there on the table."
Ed McGranahan
The Greenville News
