Q&A with Chad Spann – former North Central standout now NFL hopeful

Growing up as a kid, isn’t it every kids dream to be a professional athlete? Some attain those goals but 99.9% of others do not. Former North Central star Chad Spann hopes to have his name called at the 2011 NFL Draft, which begins today.

The 5-foot-9, 200 pound running back has had to earn it at every level. At North Central High School in Indianapolis, Spann was the focal point of the offense as an upperclassmen and helped groom those below him. He still holds the school season-season and career rushing records for yards gained and touchdowns scored.

Coming out of high school, Spann wasn’t particularly sought after and was determined to make an impact at Northern Illinois. He amassed 2,916 yards rushing on 536 carries (5.4 yards per carry) and step into the end zone 49 times. Spann has the determination and work ethic to make it to the next level. Although he is undersized, many backs such as Maurice Jones-Drew has used size to their advantage. He boasts a 4.52 40 time and has a strong chance of getting selected.

He caught the attention of NFL scouts after his senior season to remember at Northern Illinois. Spann help lead the Huskies to their first 11-win season and multiple highly-touted television contests. He also was named the 2010 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, had back-to-back 1,000 yards seasons and led the nation in rushing touchdowns.

Chad Spann has met with multiple teams, including the Indianapolis Colts who may be in the market for another back with the uncertainty of free-agent Joseph Addai.

I caught up with the Indianapolis product on prior to the NFL Draft. His comments are below.

As an Indianapolis native, who was your favorite team?

Growing up in Indianapolis, you’ve got to go with the hometown Colts.

Your running game has developed a lot over the last few years. What do you attribute all your success to?

Hard work and countless hours of film study.

You weren’t highly recruited out of high school but proved everyone wrong at Northern Illinois. How satisfying is it to see all of your success in recent years?

I always believed I could have success at the college level playing running back.  My confidence never wavered throughout the recruiting process and during position battles at NIU.  All I needed was an opportunity.  Do I have a chip on my shoulder and hold grudges against those who may have slighted me? Yup.

Is there another back in the NFL that you compare to?

There’s several backs that I’ve studied and taken from.  Ray Rice, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Knowshon Moreno come to mind first.

When selling yourself to NFL teams, what are some of your best skills?

I am a hard-nosed, patient, north and south running back who is going to fight for every yard.

Where do you see room for improvement?

I just need to get bigger, faster, and stronger, so I’ll be prepared for the pro game.

Is running back where you see yourself in the league or could you handle some special teams duties also?

I am a running back first, but if a team needs me to play special teams, I’m willing to do whatever I possibly can to help the team.