Standout Offensive Lineman Signs With Cardinals
December 21, 2001 | Football
Dec. 21, 2001
Head football coach John L. Smith announced this afternoon that Jerry Spencer, an offensive lineman from East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss., has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and collegiate football career at the University of Louisville.
Spencer, a 6-3, 310-pound lineman who hails from Eagle Springs, N.C., will join Smith's squad and attend classes at U of L during the spring semester. A two-year starter at East Central, Spencer was a main cog on an offensive line that ranked among the state's leaders in rushing and total offense while posting 6-4 records in each of the past two seasons.
Under the tutelage of head coach Terry Underwood at East Central, Spencer blossomed into one of the top offensive lineman in the Mississippi Junior College League. As a sophomore, Spencer earned first-team all-state and all-region honors and was named the Southern Division's top offensive lineman after helping to lead his team to the semifinal game of the state playoffs.
A starter in all 11 games as a freshman at East Central, Spencer was the anchor of an offensive line which produced the state's top rushing offense, while also ranking second in total offense.
Spencer is eager to continue his career with a U of L team which has claimed back-to-back Conference USA titles.
"I'm excited," Spencer said. "I can't wait to get there and be a part of a winning program like Louisville."
Spencer cited the prospect of protecting two-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year Dave Ragone as a contributing factor for choosing Louisville.
"Playing with a quarterback like Ragone gets me excited, a guy with that much talent makes my job so much easier."
Cardinal offensive line coach Art Valero expects Spencer to contribute immediately.
"We don't recruit junior college guys to come in here and watch everybody else play," Valero said. "He's a tremendous athlete and he's got great size and he should be able to come in and help us right away."
Valero was just as impressed with Spencer off the field as he was with his presence on the field.
"He's a great character kid," Valero said. "He's a bright-eyed guy and he's eager to learn the system and those are the types of players we love."
Spencer was a three-time first all-conference selection under head coach Terry Underwood at North Moore High School.
