Kaleb Spencer makes it official, former Oklahoma flip signs with Miami Hurricanes
SIGNEES (with link to feature story on each): Francis Mauigoa … Damari Brown … Christopher Johnson … Antione Jackson … Collins Acheampong … Kaleb Spencer … Riley Williams … Samson Okunlola … Robby Washington … Bobby Washington … Rueben Bain … Mark Fletcher … Malik Bryant … Jackson Carver … Emory Williams … Antonio Tripp … Marcellius Pulliam … Jayden Wayne … Frankie Tinilau … Joshua Horton … Raul Aguirre … Robert Stafford … Tommy Kinsler … Ray Ray Joseph … Australian P Dylan Joyce
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One of the bigger surprises this recruiting year? When Colonial Heights (Va.) Life Christian Academy S/OLB Kaleb Spencer decommitted from Oklahoma to Miami Oct. 28.
Miami had quietly worked behind the scenes with Spencer to make it happen, and he took a behind-the-scenes unofficial visit to UM for the North Carolina game. Once that happened the Sooners – who had asked Spencer as well as their other commits not to take visits after committing – began looking for a replacement in their class. And Miami had another bigtime prospect on board.
Today Spencer went ahead and made it official, signing with Miami.
“First off it’s Miami,” Spencer said. “I have always loved their program from the greats that came from The U at my position. (Miami DB Coach Jahmile) Addae really put the foot on the gas in recruiting me. I loved everything he was offering me and it’s on the East Coast. It felt like it was a better opportunity for me and my family.
Spencer was initially offered back in September, and Canes coaches had taken note of his strong play the prior month when Life Christian Academy was playing against Stranahan and UM target Hykeem Williams.
As for what Miami’s landed in Spencer? For that we turn to his Life Christian Academy coach, Charles Scott.
Scott weighs in that he sees Spencer as a “generational talent that would easily be a 5 star if he was a big camper early in his high school career.”
Scott points to Spencer as not only a guy who can impact games on the defensive side but also on special teams, referencing how he blocked “multiple field goals and punts.”
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The coach also has a favorite story he tells about his star player in which Spencer looked to the sidelines and told coaches he was getting a sack the next play. Then he did just that.
“He is a playmaker,” Scott said. “He is a big hitter who is also fast enough to cover guys on an island. Off the field he is a humble kid as well as a leader in the community that the youth look up to and often emulate.”
On the field one of the biggest questions with Spencer is whether he will wind up a safety or linebacker. It’s expected Miami will begin him at safety, but some think he’ll grow into a linebacker role.
Posed that question, Scott says, it’s a “tough call due to his versatility. He can literally play both at a high level. I would love to see him in a rover role to maximize his ability.”
Is there reason to believe that Spencer can make an impact at Miami even as a true freshman?
“He has a chance to play immediately if he earns it, as he will be on campus next semester,” Scott said. “His spark and playmaking ability as well as the way he hits on defense (give him a chance to make a quick impact).”
