BOOM! Octavius Spencer Commits to UCLA

The defensive back commitments keep on coming for UCLA, as the Bruins landed another elite athlete for the 2015 class Tuesday in the form of 24/7 Composite 3-star recruit Octavius Spencer (Monrovia, CA/Monrovia).

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Spencer, who is a 6’2″ dynamo with speed to burn, is UCLA’s 3rd defensive back commitment of the 2015 recruiting cycle and his commitment comes very quickly after that of fellow cornerback Colin Samuel (Long Beach, CA/Poly) last week. The young man from Monrovia who grew up in the shadow of the Rose Bowl has been most productive at wide receiver and punt returner in his high school career, but is slated to come to UCLA as a cornerback. However, if that doesn’t take, then he could very well be switched to the offensive side of the ball later on.

Until mid-November, Spencer was an anonymous recruit with only one scholarship offer, from FCS Sacramento State. But Spencer saw his recruitment shoot into the stratosphere after the release of his senior season highlight film in which he looked like an explosive athlete and playmaker. He came from totally off-the-radar to emerge as one of the hottest prospects in Southern California, with UCLA, Oregon, and Washington all throwing their hats into the ring with offers to Spencer once his film made its way into the consciousness of Pac-12 coaches.

In the end, it was Spencer’s tight bond with UCLA defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin that was the deciding factor in his recruitment. For that reason, it is Martin who will get the first crack at coaching Spencer. Spencer is raw at the moment, but, as his film shows, his athletic gifts are undeniable and his upside is tremendous.

With time and proper coaching, UCLA is hoping that Spencer will transform into a shutdown Pac-12 corner. Look for Spencer to make his way into the UCLA rotation late in the 2016 season, with a real opportunity to see significant playing time starting in 2017.

Welcome to Westwood, Octavius!