Local '23 DL William ‘Woo’ Spencer Commits to Louisville over Kentucky

The New Albany defensive lineman was down to the Cardinals, Wildcats and Spartans.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The first major recruiting battle between first-year Louisville football head coach Jeff Brohm and the program's arch rival has come to a close, and it has ended in their favor.

William “Woo” Spencer, a Class of 2023 defensive lineman who plays just across the river at New Albany (Ind.) Senior, announced Wednesday during a ceremony at Aspirations Gym that he has opted to commit to the Cardinals over the Wildcats.

Louisville, Kentucky and Michigan State had been the three finalists for Spencer, although he also held Division I offers from Mississippi State, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Eastern Kentucky.

Spencer was originally offered a scholarship by UofL back in March of 2021 by former head coach Scott Satterfield and his staff, but had long been regarded as a Kentucky lean. However, his interest in Louisville escalated after their hiring of Jeff Brohm to be their next head coach, especially following Brohm’s decision to retain defensive assistant Mark Ivey on his staff.

His recruitment was back and forth between the two schools in the weeks leading up to his commitment, which came during the traditional signing day, and he ultimately chose to stay home.

The 6-foot-5, 315-pound defensive tackle ranks as the No. 7 prospect in the state of Indiana, the No. 54 defensive lineman in the class and the No. 502 player in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite.

A Louisville native, Spencer spent the first three years of his high school career just down the street from UofL at Louisville (Ky.) Male, and also plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage as an offensive lineman. In seven games tracked by MaxPreps as a senior at New Albany Senior, he logged 27 tackles (six solo).

With Spencer's commitment, Louisville is now up to a 15-man 2023 recruiting class, which ranks as high as No. 31 in the nation according to 247Sports. He is the third defensive line commit for the Cardinals, joining defensive ends Adonijah Green, Micah Carter and Saddiq Clements.

(Photo of William Spencer: Matt Stone - Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK)

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