When senior running back Patrick Spann Jr. jogged onto the field in Week 6, he wasn’t stepping into a spotlight he had prepared for; he was filling a void that no one expected.
Katy Jordan’s backfield was led by senior running back Tanner West, a Kansas State commit, as Spann spent his early-season reps observing, learning, and waiting. But when West suffered a season-ending injury, Spann stepped up and became the unexpected spark Katy Jordan needed while also making school history as the first to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. What started as a backup role turned into a breakout moment, as Spann transformed opportunity into identity.
“When Tanner went down, I didn’t overthink it. I just knew I had to step up and fill that role for the team. I didn’t think I would hit 1,000 yards. But as the weeks went on and I got closer, it pushed me to work even harder.”
Patrick Spann Jr.
“When Tanner went down, I didn’t overthink it,” said Spann. “I just knew I had to step up and fill that role for the team. I didn’t think I would hit 1,000 yards. But as the weeks went on and I got closer, it pushed me to work even harder.”
Stepping into the starting running back role required Spann to prepare both physically and mentally, as football fans started comparing him to West’s accomplishments.
“PJ always prepared as a starter and was ready when the opportunity came,” said Katy Jordan, running backs coach Dean Brantley. “He has excellent vision, agility, and a good understanding of run schemes. His practice habits made everyone on the offensive staff confident in his ability.”
While Week 5 marked a turning point, the roots of Spann’s breakthrough extend much further back to the practices, meetings, and unnoticed work that shaped the player he would become.
Although Spann wasn’t the original starting running back, he was more than just a backup. Watching West allowed him to observe the speed and intensity of varsity-level play.
“Tanner and I are close, so he gave me feedback all the time,” said Spann. “The biggest thing I took from him was how tough a runner he was. To stay ready, I did everything the starters did, just with slightly fewer reps. I watched a lot of film from previous games and made sure I understood the game plan.”
“The thing that stood out most about Patrick was his work ethic,” said West. “He never complained about anything; he just put his head down, worked, and was ready when his name was called. He handled being the backup running back great. He and I were the perfect duo. We worked together to reach our team goal, and we both never complained.”
When West got injured, he gave Spann three words of advice: Run with it.
“I told him to take it and run with it,” said West. “Show the world who he was and show college coaches he was a baller, take control of the offense, and be the guy.”
In Week 7, two games after Spann took over the starting role, Brantley started to realize he could be a true feature back.
“Our offense was struggling until PJ scored a 95-yard touchdown run,” said Brantley.
As Spann moved from understudy to lead performer, his skills not only grew but also became more precise.
By improving his footwork and becoming more disciplined with his reads, Spann’s running style became smooth and powerful. This improvement helped him become Katy Jordan’s first 1,000-yard single-season rusher.
“I know the work I put in, even on days I didn’t feel like it,” said Spann. “Reaching 1,000 yards showed that the work paid off.”
“PJ’s an every-down back, and he knows every part of our offense,” said Brantley. “It’s hard to keep him off the field when you trust that he isn’t going to make mental mistakes and will perform at a high level. Whether it’s running the ball, blocking for the other backs, or pass protection, he does everything well.”
Senior offensive lineman Charlie Zuluaga observed the results of Spann’s hard work firsthand.
“He hits the open holes full speed,” said Zuluaga. “He doesn’t dance around; he commits and runs behind our pads. That trust makes the whole unit click. When a back runs confidently through the spaces we create, it energizes the line.”
But the biggest impact of Spann’s rise might not be in yards or touchdowns; it’s in what he’s meant to the team during their playoff run.
“His teammates root for him because he’s a great teammate,” said Brantley. “He doesn’t act like he’s better than anyone. When a guy like that has success, it makes everyone else play a little harder.”
“In the locker room, he’s locked in and handles his business without needing attention,” said Zuluaga. “His attitude shows everything. Instead of talking, he leads through actions every day. His journey shows the rest of us that patience and preparation are key. He never complained about being the backup running back. He stayed ready, and when his chance came, he became the guy.”
Spann’s rise isn’t just a story of replacing a star; it’s a blueprint for resilience, preparation, and what happens when opportunity finally knocks.
“This season showed me that I have what it takes to compete at the next level, and that I need to keep building my work ethic,” said Spann. “That the job isn’t finished. I’m proud of what I’ve done, but I’m not satisfied. I want more.”
Brantley agreed, believing Spann’s passion for the game, work ethic, and character make him recruitable beyond just the stats.
In a time when players often transfer if they don’t get their way, he stayed committed to the program and his teammates, and now it’s paying off,” said Brantley.
As Spann and Katy Jordan saw their playoff hopes end in the regional round with a 52-0 loss to CE King, Spann, though uncommitted, continues to hope he has done enough to earn a shot at the next level.
“I just want a program that is willing to give me an opportunity,” said Spann. “I want my legacy to show that when you control what you can control and do things the right way, everything works out.”
About Patrick Spann Jr.:
Class: 2026
IG: @pjspann24
Twitter: @PjSpann
Position: Running back
Height & weight: 5-feet-11, 185 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: PALS
