UC-Davis Commitment Interview with Centennial 2017 WR Troy Spencer

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

In order to build a gridiron winner, coaches have to have talented and determined players ready to lay it all out on the line day after day in practice and week after week under the lights. Fitting the bill, University of California-Davis snuck into Corona landing an under the radar recruit capable of big things at the next level in receiver Troy Spencer.

Spencer is part of a fierce wide receiver corps at Centennial High School that features names sure to be well-known by college fans soon in Justin Fisher, Xavier Marshall, and Class of 2017 talent Manuel Allen. Spencer started drawing attention to himself on the recruiting trail during his junior year turning 22 receptions into 501 yards with six scores. His senior year has started off with nagging injuries really only playing in parts of three games in the Huskies 3-1 start to their schedule. The 5-10, 183 pound, speedster has barely turned in a full game’s worth of work but has been productive hauling in five passes for 72 yards and has one carry for 26 yards.

When Spencer is a full-go, he is hard to stop. Spencer can take a slant or bubble screen to the house from anywhere on the field and can stretch defenses as a vertical threat with his 4.45 speed. With Spencer’s talents and abilities, he could be a playmaker on special teams at the collegiate level as well.

The Aggies pulled in Spencer using the oldest tricks in the book, offering great academics, a great campus, and a relatable coaching staff capable of making the needed connection with a desired high school talent. UC-Davis hosted Spencer on an unofficial late in July. By July 26, Spencer was a silent commit to the Aggies preferring to wait until his senior season was rolling to make the announcement.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Spencer to get the inside scoop on his commitment to UC-Davis.

Interview

Troy, you announced your commitment to UC-Davis on Thursday (Sept. 15). What influenced you to commit to the Aggies?

“The degree, the level of the education I will receive is as good as any other school. Coach (Pat) McCann is one of the best receiver coaches I have ever talked to. Coach (Ron) Gould (head coach) makes me feel like part of the family already.”

How will the Aggies use you in their offense?

“Looks like I will be a downfield threat and a screen guy. Their offense five and dimes downfield and then they go deep to see if they can make plays vertically. I’m looking forward to it.”

How did the commitment take place?

“After I took my visit up there I called Coach Gould and told him immediately I wanted to commit to UC-Davis. Everything up there was breath taking. I told my parents I wanted to commit right then.”

So you’ve been a silent commit since July?

“Yes. My plan was to do it at the end of the summer, before school. I wanted to let Coach Gould and Coach McCann know then that I was committed. I wanted to post it then but I had a little injury at that time. That is why I am just posting it now.”

What was the reaction of Coach Gould and Coach McCann when you committed?

“They were really excited especially Coach Gould. He was really happy to make me part of the family. How he cares for everyone is great. He cares for the players as family. He treats everyone as family first. Coach McCann was really excited. He wants me there now. I’m just as excited to be a part of the UC-Davis family.”

How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

“I kept thinking this is the biggest decision I will make in my life as a teenager. I was shaking. I did not know how to tell them. Coach Gould is easy to talk to. He started asking me questions. That made it really easy to tell him.”

When will you officially visit the Davis campus?

“During one of our bye weeks. I think we have one on Sept. 30 (Friday).”

Are you actively recruiting any other players to join you at UC-Davis?

“A little bit. I tell the guys on the team about the program. It is an academic school first, you have to ask about their grades. UC-Davis is kind of a hard school to recruit for.”

Which players are you dropping hints to about UC-Davis?

“I’m trying for Miles (Reed – 2017 running back) real bad. I know he has the grades. Reggie Whitfield (2017 cornerback) would look real good in an Aggie uniform.”

Which schools have been showing recruiting interest in you?

“I have received big interest from Southern Utah. I am receiving interest from Washington and Boise State. Seems like all the Big Sky teams are DM-ing (direct message) me.”

Troy, thanks for your time today. Congratulations on your commitment to UC-Davis and good luck with the rest of your senior season.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Spencer family; Troy Spencer at UC-Davis.

Photo credit: Spencer family; Troy Spencer with head coach Ron Gould.

Photo credit: Spencer family; Troy Spencer with receivers coach Pat McCann (right).