Spencer Reeves, the highly recruited linebacker from Skyline High School in Dallas who signed with the Gophers last February, was suppose to arrive on campus with the other incoming recruits a few months ago, but was declared academically ineligibly until he re-took his ACT. For the past few months I have been staying in contact with Reeves, and after every text message, email, or phone call, he would always say, “I promise I’ll be a Gopher soon. I just faced a minor setback, that’s all.” Reeves has proven himself to a man of his word, as today he received word that he received a passing score on his ACT and will be joining the Gophers for the spring semester. There is no doubt that this young man proved to be of great character and persistence, as he spent the past two months studying non-stop for his ACT, as well as keeping in top physical condition. He is an extremely determined student-athlete, and cannot wait to play his first game as a Gopher.


GH: Would you mind saying what score you received, and what score did you need to qualify?
SR: I needed a 19 to qualify, and I got a 20. That’s even better than what I needed.

GH: What have you been doing the last few months to prepare for the ACT?
SR: One of my teacher’s at school ended up tutoring me, he knows the ACT really well, and helped me out. I went Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour and a half. I also went to the library, checked out ACT books and studied when I was at home, by myself.

GH: What have you been doing to stay in top shape these past few months?
SR: I’ve been working out just about everyday. I take the weekends off to rest, but through the week, I work out everyday. Monday I’ll go to tutoring in the morning, and then I’ll go workout. I do some bench, squats, or run around the track. Basically weight training, and running.

GH: You have said that you wanted to put on weight, were you able to do that?
SR: I was able to put on some weight, at one point I was 185. Then I started working out and eating more and I’m 215 pounds now.

GH: When exactly will you be coming to campus?
SR: I’m not sure what the exact day is, they gray-shirted me, so I have to be down before 2nd semester. I could come down earlier than spring semester to start working out with the team. They aren’t able to bring me down unless I’m enrolled in class.

GH: Are there any B-term classes you could get into?
SR: The coaches are looking into it, I’m not sure right now, but they’re trying to get me enrolled as soon as possible.

GH: How did Coach Brewster react when you told him the news?
SR: I didn’t talk to Coach Brewster. I actually didn’t know my scores would even be coming in today. I checked online, and they were released online, and the official card came in the mail today. My Mom called one of the coaches today. I guess the coaches already knew, they had gotten the news before I had told them. When I got the news, I called every coach I had in my phone, but I think they were at practice, so they didn’t answer. I actually haven’t spoken to anyone of them yet.

GH: Have you watched or been to any Gopher games this year?
SR: I haven’t been to any Gopher games. I’ve watched the games that I have been able to on TV, the ones that are on. I’ve seen two games. I’m going to try to come down for the Michigan game.

GH: That’s a big game for recruiting, do the coaches want you there to help with recruiting?
SR: I’m pretty sure. I just looked at the home games, and I saw Michigan, and I thought it was the biggest home game, and I wanted to come for that one.

GH: Have you been impressed with the team so far?
SR: Yes, I’ve been impressed. The record reflects that. The defense is playing a lot better, and causing a lot of turnovers. I had a feeling that Coach Brewster was going to turn the program around, and he’s doing everything I thought he would do.

GH: What do you think you can bring to the team after watching them?
SR: I’ll be able to add more speed and depth at the linebacker position.

GH: Has any one player really stood out and impressed you?
SR: Not really, just looking at the whole team, they’re great. Eric Decker and Adam Weber impressed me a lot, they work well together. Troy (Stoudemire) impressed me too, I knew he was capable of that, but he’s played really well.

GH: What players have you been in contact with?
SR: I’ve been in contact with Troy, Keanon (Cooper) and Dajon (McKnight) . I haven’t met any of the other guys. I talked to MarQueis (Gray) quite a bit on Facebook.

GH: Do you know his status, and what the next steps are for him?
SR: I don’t know his status, but the next ACT test date is in October, and he’ll take that one.

GH: I believe there was an option of him proving his score, but you’re saying he just decided to take the test again?
SR: Yes, he’s just going to take it again.

GH: What about Keanon, is he red-shirting?
SR: I’m not sure, But I think that’s where he’s headed. I think it would be best for him. Since this is his first year going down there and playing safety, he was a linebacker in high school. So, I think he’ll go back to playing linebacker next year, and sit out this one.

GH: After all this, how elated will you be to finally be a Gopher?
SR: This is a blessing. I’ve been working very hard, I really appreciate the Gophers sticking with me, and waiting for me to get qualified. They didn’t have to do that, they could have taken my scholarship away. For them to stick with me, it shows they want me, and when I get up there, I’m going to get do the same for the Gophers.


– Previous article: Sam Maresh humbled to carry the Gopher flag
– Previous article: Gophers hope second time is a charm for Jamar Howard
– Previous article: GopherHole catches up with Henry Sibley big man, Jake Kreuser


Talk about Gopher football recruiting on the Brew's Crew message board.