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Why C.J. Spiller was the critical recruit to help start the Clemson dynasty

USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg breaks down the latest Amway Coaches Poll. USA TODAY

Four losses in five games to end his freshman season in 2006 made C.J. Spiller consider leaving Clemson and transferring to Florida, where second-year coach Urban Meyer was building a powerhouse at a program located just a short drive from Spiller's hometown of Lake Butler.

Spiller brought his concerns to Dabo Swinney, then an assistant coach and the point man on Spiller's high-profile recruitment. For the second time, Swinney had to convinced Spiller to commit to Clemson. He responded to Spiller's worries with a question: Why would you go to someone else's backyard, meaning a Florida program loaded with NFL-bound talent, when you can stay here and have your own?