The Ohio State Buckeyes’ junior wide receiver Evan Spencer may not be someone that fans have heard a lot about yet. He has been overshadowed by other Ohio State receivers like Devin Smith and Corey “Philly” Brown, though his name has come up more in the last couple of games for the Buckeyes. Why is that? Why is he getting his chance now? Head coach Urban Meyer says it’s because they have discovered that Spencer can come on the field and do more than just catch the ball. We will see Spencer emerge more as a receiver as the season goes on and he will get to do the thing that he loves most, while also making his mark on the Ohio State offense as more than just a receiver.
Spencer has been known more for his blocking this season. His blocking of the safeties in the California Golden Bears game was so good that Meyer praised him for it after the game. He said Spencer’s blocking of the safeties was as good as he’s ever seen. Blocking became Spencer’s role as he continued to open holes for Smith, Brown, and quarterback Braxton Miller, among others. It is an important role on the Ohio State offense that got Spencer noticed for and got him some playing time, but it is not what he wants his role to be. He came to Ohio State to be a receiver.
Spencer caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Miller on the Buckeyes’ first drive of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday. That touchdown was one of the three that Spencer has had in the last two games for the Buckeyes. He had four catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns in the Florida A&M Rattlers game the week before. It’s a good start to what he hopes will be a great receiving career at Ohio State.
Keep an eye out for No. 6 when Ohio State’s offense is on the field, and you could see a great block or an incredible catch on any given Saturday. Not many receivers can say that they are also great blockers, or that they earned their receiving spot by being recognized as a great blocker. Spencer has worked hard to get where he is now, even if he didn’t do it by doing the thing he loves most.
Jenna Aquino is a Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, “Like” her on Facebook, or add her to your network on Google.
