Quickly: Last name is pronounced Spate... Talented running back... Enters fall battling for starting tailback spot, but is expected to see significant action. 2007 (Fr.): Played in 11 games, starting six... Led team with 504 rushing yards on 129 carries (3.9 ypc) with three TD's... That season total is the third-most for a USU freshman... His season-best 99 yards against San Jose State were the most for a USU freshman in a game since 2005... Had six games with over 50 yards rushing... Season-high for carries was 22 in both San Jose State and Utah games... Had two runs over 20 yards... Scored rushing TD's on a 1-yard plunge against San Jose State, a 9-yard scamper at Hawai'i and a 12-yard run against Nevada... Also had 13 catches for 57 yards (4.4 ypc)... Top game was four receptions for 32 yards at Fresno State... Had a season-long 12-yard catch against Boise State. 2006 (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was a second-team all-district selection as both a junior and senior... A three-year starter... Rushed for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior... Was a team captain... Team went 9-2 and were the Tri-District Champions his senior year.... Also competed in track in the 100 and 200-meters. Personal: Born July 10, 1988 in Fitchburg, Mass... Son of Princella Smith and Jimmy Speight... Majoring in heath education.