:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47826441/usa-today-8960206.0.jpg)
The same day 1st team Pac-12 RB Christian McCaffrey was chosen as a Heisman finalist, Stanford obtained a new running back.
Trevor Speights announced his commitment to Stanford via Twitter just as RBs coach Lance Taylor stopped by. He wrote, "After tremendous amount of prayer and thought, I have finally come to conclusion where I will further my education for the next four years...I will be attending Stanford University. #NerdNation." Speights reigns from none other than McAllen, Texas and attends Memorial High School. Speights had other offers from Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma - and he had previously committed to Arizona before decommiting in April - but he chose to pledge his loyalty to Stanford. Fresh off of their Pac-12 title, Stanford will be riding even higher with their newest addition to an already astounding 2016 recruiting class.
❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️#NERDNATION pic.twitter.com/zcX3OE5Q4R
— Trevor Speights (@TSpeightsRB) December 8, 2015
Trevor Speights is one of the most productive running back in Texas high school history. In his historic career he has amassed 9,868 yards, good enough for 4th all time in Texas high school history. This is higher than guys from the likes of Jacquizz Rodgers (#8 all-time, Oregon State) and Cedric Benson (#6 all-time, Texas) and all of the other great running backs that have come out of Texas. Speights isn't just impressive because the amount of yards he has racked up, but also because the amount of TDs he has scored in his career. He has recorded 118 TDs. His senior year he tallied up 58 TDs. As impressive as this is, he will have to prove he can play to Stanford early and often because he is joining a class with 2 other running back commits (Beau Bisharat and Brandon Stephens).
Immediately one ability Speights demonstrates is his speed. It is reported that Speights runs a 4.38 40-yard dash and you can see that speed in motion. As soon as he gets to the corner no one can stop him. He consistently outruns everyone and walks in for an easy score. When he is running, it seems like he is just jogging because it looks so effortless for him. Another skill in Speights' arsenal is his lateral quickness. He's strong running in traffic, bouncing from hole to hole in milliseconds, and when he is in space his jukes and cut backs are just as quick, making him an exceptionally elusive and effective runner. He also accelerates to his top gear quickly, making him a strong all-around speed back.
Check out Speights' senior year highlights here: