Ben Howlett, Times Athlete of the Year

Now he’s getting the chance to realize that dream, as a walk-on wide receiver with the Ohio University Bobcats.

“This is a great opportunity. I’ve wanted my whole life to play Division I,” Spencer said.

Graduating from Marietta High School in 2006 Spencer originally went to college at Mt. Union.

An ankle injury brought his career at Mount Union to an early close and Spencer transferred to Ohio University where Bobcat coaches offered him a chance to walk-on.

Walking-on at a Division I school is no easy task.

In order to make the OU football team Spencer tried out with approximately 50 other athletes from across the United States, mostly from Ohio.

Out of those 50 players five were chosen to go through winter conditioning.

Winter conditioning wasn’t a slouch either. Over a two-week span Spencer woke up at 5 a.m. to run for two straight hours with sprints and agility drills.

There were 40-yard dash times, weight lifting and general conditioning.

All to find out how much a walk-on player wanted to be part of a Division I football team like the Bobcats.

Being a member of the Bobcats also means Spencer will be suiting up against players heading to the NFL draft, which is exciting for the former Tiger.

“You mention the words Division I and you just know that you’re playing with the elite players of the nation,” Spencer said.

Though he’s only 6-0 and 170 pounds Spencer is strong, fast and talented.

Running a 4.4 40-yard dash with a 34 inch vertical and bench pressing 260 pounds Spencer is currently manning the slot receiver position for the Bobcats, though he hopes to move up the depth chart before the season arrives.

While he may be a walk-on player rather than a scholarship athlete Spencer said he is taking an aggressive mental approach to his play with OU.

“I’m going to take the position. I’m going to be the starter. I’m going to be the No. 1 guy,” Spencer said.

Spencer has a distinct advantage when it comes to playing collegiate football and taking that top spot.

Having been under the tutelage of Marietta head football coach Brian Spicer Spencer has played in a spread offense which helped him greatly in his walk-on, particularly when running routes against defenders.

“When I started doing one-on-ones with the starting corners I really showcased myself and was doing really well,” Spencer said, attributing his success to having played the collegiate spread offense before.

Now that he has made the roster for the Bobcats Spencer is leaving Saturday to return to OU for a Sunday team meeting and the beginning of spring workouts Monday.

The former Tiger will play in the spring game April 26 and is excited about being on the field for the Bobcats, especially when they play Ohio State this fall.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to strap on that helmet and be a Bobcat,” Spencer said.