Recruiting Snapshot: Edwin Spillman
One of the biggest, most anticipated games on the high school football calendar across the nation was played on Friday, August 18th in Nashville. A massive crowd, estimated around 5000, poured into Lipscomb Academy’s home field to see the Mustangs face off against the IMG Academy Ascenders (Bradenton, Florida). These teams, both ranked in the Top 20 nationally coming into the season were set for a physical game that would showcase an embarrassment of riches in terms of FBS talent. Though the Ascenders left with a 35-10 victory, among all the talent on display, perhaps no star was brighter than Edwin Spillman.
A Bad, Bad Man
Spillman is committed to play for the Tennessee Volunteers as part of the 2024 recruiting class. He is also considered at or near the top of the list of best players in the state in the 2024 cycle. Furthermore, Spillman is an absolute hammer of a linebacker. The punishment that Spillman consistently dished out all night was eye popping, particularly looking at his frame. Listed at 6’2” tall and 218 pounds, Spillman looks like a lean, almost thin, linebacker that may be a possible hybrid player between the linebacker and safety positions. On appearances, most evaluators would say he looks to lean to handle elite linemen. That is, until they see him hit.
Spillman is utterly fearless and absolutely relentless. He will take on any player the other team sends his way, does so with controlled ferocity, and never gives up on play. He also delivers bone jarring hits on every tackle he makes, all with impeccable form. The Lipscomb defense played an impressive game, despite what the score might indicate, against one of the most potent offenses in America. That was thanks in large part to Spillman’s physicality setting the tone for the Mustangs on each and every play.
More Than Just a Hammer
Interviewing Spillman after the game, with his pads off, it was evident that he may be lean, but it is all well developed muscle. The senior boasts a chiseled upper body and arms, displaying where some of his power comes from. However, Spillman is more than just a tackler that can send a message. He runs like a defensive back in space, is excellent in coverage, and can rush the passer with some moves that many highly graded defensive linemen would be envious of. Spillman is a cerebral linebacker. He plays with intensity and fire, but those traits are paired with precision and control, yielding more of a welding torch than a campfire. Against perhaps the most talented roster in all of high school football, Spillman rose to the occasion, played an outstanding game, and got a strong performance out of his teammates as well.
Vol on Vol Violence
One of the major storylines coming out of this contest centered on the most physically punishing hit of a exceptionally physical contest. A hit delivered by Spillman to I.G tight end and fellow Tennessee commit in the 2024 class, Johnathan Echols. Spillman delivered an absolutely crushing shot after a catch by Echols that left Echols leaving the game early with ice taped to his ribs, headed for x rays after the game. The hit was a clean, form tackle, just delivered with incredible force. When asked about the hit on his future teammate in Orange and White, Spillman said, “I know they are one of the best teams in the country. I wanted to show him what kind of a teammate he was getting. I wanted to earn his respect.” Consider that message sent.
The Toolbox
The long and short of it is, Spillman is tailor made to fit into the Volunteer defense. He ticks each box for an ideal linebacker in their scheme, and appears to have gotten even better since last year.
- Excellent shape and Conditioning. Looked the same in the fourth quarter as the first.
- Great speed and coverage skills for the linebacker position, more in line with safeties.
- Hits above his weight. Spillman hits like a hammer, perhaps a rocket assisted hammer.
- High football IQ
- Leader of his defense both with words and by example.
- Impeccable tackling form.
- Undaunted by an opponent
- More polish as a pass rusher than many highly rated defensive ends.
Genuinely, the only item Spillman needs to focus on improving is adding more muscle mass to his frame to prevent him being pushed around at the next level, however he has the strength to make that a non-factor as is. Spillman is an every down linebacker that can do it all, in whatever system he finds himself iI.
