Linebacker's Play Merritts Offers

Aurora (Ill.) Waubonsie Valley is starting to regain some of its punch and most of it is due to the hiring of head coach Paul Murphy. Coach Murphy is getting the Warrior program headed back in the right direction and he’s starting to turn out some solid D-1 prospects including linebacker Spencer Merritt.

“I have a scholarship offer from Wyoming right now,” Spencer Merritt told Scout.com.

“I’m getting a lot of calls and hand-written letters from college coaches. Mostly in the MAC but I’m also hearing from a few schools in the Big Ten.

“My favorites are Wyoming, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio), Northwestern and Indiana.

“I’ve been on a couple of unofficial visits this fall but I haven’t set up any official visits. I’m going to wait until after the season to make my visits and I’ll probably decide on a school after I take all my trips.”

Coach Murphy had high praise for Merritt.

“Spencer is having a great season,” Coach Murphy said. “He’s extremely tough and he’s also a good leader. It’s hard for me to believe that Wyoming is the only school that has offered so far but that should change soon.”

Merritt became a full-time starter as a junior. In 2006, he had 87 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a couple of interceptions. So far this season, Spencer is leading the team in tackles with 84.

Extra Point - Merritt is an excellent high school football player. He stands out on the football field and that’s always a good thing. Spencer is a tweener right now. Does he have the size to play linebacker at the next level? Does he have the speed to play safety? I see things picking up more steam for Merritt in December and January as prospects begin to commit and scholarships become available.