College Football Recruiting 2013: 5 Recruits Who Will Be Stars in Spread Offense

The spread offense has quickly become one of the most popular, if not the most popular, offensive schemes in football today.

Not only does it force a defense to spread out and cover a wide variety of the field (Usually four wideouts with the quarterback in the shotgun and a running back offset), but it's an system that enables athletes and playmakers on the offensive side of the ball.

The kicker is, it takes a certain type of player to effectively run the offense. Receivers need to be quick, versatile, agile and able to make a play after the catch, and quarterbacks need to be able to make quick reads, quick throws and even be able to run.

Here are five 2013 recruits who will be stars in the spread offense at the college football level:

5. Derrick Griffin, 4-Star WR, Texas A&M Commit

Derrick Griffin will be a force in Texas A&M's offense, and it's because he's much more than just a deep threat.

Griffin is 6'7'', 210-pounds according to 247Sports, so he obviously has elite size. He'll be able to go up and be a jump ball threat which will spread the deep zone. That said he'll also be effective on slant routes because of his size and he does have quick feet, so he can run just about any route you ask him to.

Because he's so big, he'll also be a very good blocker, specially on bubble screens. All-in-all, Griffin's size will allow him to be extremely effective in Texas A&M's offense.

Versatility is one of the keys of being a great spread receiver.

4. J.T. Barrett, 4-Star QB, Ohio State Commit

J.T. Barret is a 4-star quarterback who's currently committed to Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes, and frankly, he looks like he has the potential to be better than Braxton Miller, already.

Allen is 6'2'', 205-pounds, so he has great size, and he runs a 4.60 40 according to 247Sports, so he has more than enough speed to run Meyer's offense.

He has a very strong arm, but where he sets himself a part is with his feet. He has tremendous quickness, elusiveness and runs like a running back, so he should be very effective running the read-option.

He can also throw on the run, which is that one key element that you look for in a spread quarterback.

Overall, Barret looks like he will be a great quarterback for the Buckeyes.

3. Ricky Seals-Jones, 5-Star WR, Uncommited

Five-star receiver Ricky Seals-Jones is an elite recruiting prospect, and he projects to be an elite wide receiver at the college level.

He's 6'5'', 230-pounds, which is very big for a senior in high school, and he runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports. That's a great combination of speed and size, but he's more than just his measurables.

Seals-Jones is a receiver that you can utilize as a deep threat on fade or post routes, or he can be a guy you ask to take a quick slant and make something happen after the catch. He's extremely talented and fluid as a wide receiver, and that makes him the perfect option for a spread offense.

He can be effective anywhere on the field.

Seals-Jones has a top two of Texas A&M and LSU according to 247Sports.

2. Tyrone Swoopes, 4-Star QB, Texas Commit

Tyrone Swoopes could very well be the next great quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.

He has excellent size at 6'4'', 230-pounds and he combines that with more than adequate speed. He runs a 4.70 40 according to 247Sports.

He'll be very efficient when he's asked to run the ball or is flushed out of the pocket. He's a downhill, straight-line runner which means he finds the hole and attacks it without much dancing around in the backfield. This means that he'll be able to pick up major chunks of yardage at a time as a running quarterback.

Swoops also displays a very strong arm though and he's very adept at throwing on the run.

His feet don't need to be set in order for him to be a strong and accurate throw, and that makes him the perfect duel-threat quarterback.

1. Thomas Tyner, 5-Star RB, Oregon Commit

Five-star running back Thomas Tyner is the perfect back for the spread offense, and fittingly enough, he's committed to the Oregon Ducks.

He has a great blend of size and speed for a running back. He's 6'0'', 205-pounds, so he can be effective as a runner on read-plays or even stay back as a blocker in the offset position. It's his 4.30 40 (247Sports) that makes him such a great recruit for the spread offense though.

Whether it be a draw play, a screen, a dump off into the flats or even just a straight stretch play to the outside, once Tyner finds a little bit of running room, he has the home run speed to take off and outrun defenders through the second level and into the end zone.

He's also the type of back that you can motion out into the slot and have run a slant, drag or even a straight seam route.

He's fast, and once you get him into open space, he'll be almost impossible to catch.

Tyner is the definition of a back that can spread the defense.