Interview: 2019 Louisiana DE Ja’Braylon Spencer Talks Recruiting and Arkansas State Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Ja’Braylon Spencer spent his junior season running around the field as a ball of kinetic energy on both sides of the pigskin for New Iberia High School. The Yellowjackets standout shinned on defense at end/outside linebacker coming up with 71 tackles, nine sacks, 25 tackles for a loss, 13 QB hurries, one interception, two forced fumbles, and one blocked punt. He was rewarded for his efforts by college coaches with four offers – Arkansas State, Southeast Missouri State, Nicholls State, and Louisiana. There is a long line of next level interest developing at the front door of the 6-4, 214-pound, Louisiana talent; among the interested includes Arkansas, Oregon State, Louisiana-Monroe, Ole Miss, Baylor, LSU, and Louisiana Tech. The ‘getting to know you’ phase is closing in for Spencer with an unofficial visit to Arkansas State on Saturday.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising talents out of the Sportsman’s Paradise for a quick rundown on his offseason workouts and an overview on his trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas.
*Click link for April 20, 2018, RNG interview with Ja’Braylon Spencer
Interview
Ja’Braylon, we last spoke in April, so I don’t expect a whole lot has changed with your workouts, but how are they coming along?
“Everything going good. I am on a new food plan. I am eating a lot of protein and taking down protein shakes. I am working on getting my weight up.”
What all are you working on right now?
“This offseason is about my hands. I have doing a lot of work with my hands. I have also worked on my speed rush and I am working on new moves for the arsenal.”
One of the goals you had previously was hitting the weight room hard, are you seeing gains throwing the weights around?
“My squat max has gone up from 375 to 400. I’ve been working on that a lot; squatting is important for football. My bench press has gone up a lot, from 220 to 245.”
Nice. Going into recruiting. Interest has been booming for you throughout the spring, which new schools are looking in on you?
“Baylor came by, Houston came in, Southern Miss, and an Ole Miss coach has started talking to me.”
You picked up an offer over the weekend, which school offered you?
“Louisiana offered on my way to the Arkansas State visit.”
How did they offer you?
“Coach (Rory) Segrest (defensive line) and Coach (Jabbar) Juluke (running backs) have been in communication with me. They sent me a text on our way to Arkansas State asking me to call them. We have a great relationship. They told me that they gave my spring film to Coach (Billy) Napier (head coach) and that they wanted to offer me.”
Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
You took the unofficial visit to Arkansas State, how did it go?
“It was great. I had fun. Coach (Allen) Rudolph (offensive line) talked to me a lot. My family and I were amazed with Arkansas State. The new football operations facility will be big for them.”
Is there anything you learn about the program during your visit that you did not know previously?
“I didn’t know that they had signed seven players to the NFL from last season. I also learned that they went to five of the last seven conference championship games (Sun Belt).”
Do you have any upcoming visits on the schedule?
“I am planning on visiting Memphis, Nicholls State, and Tulane this summer.”
Which college camps might you attend this summer?
“I may attend camps at Tulane, LSU, Texas A&M, Houston, a Southern Mega Camp – the Boot Showcase, Memphis and possibly Ole Miss.”
Ja’Braylon, I appreciate your time today. Good luck with all the upcoming camps.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Spencer family; Ja’Braylon Spencer at Arkansas State