Transfer Portal Bio Blast: Isaiah Spencer

The spring transfer portal window officially closed last week. We did not have to wait long to see Kentucky add to the 2025 roster. We’ve seen some player movement and are expecting more over the next few days. Teams are working rapidly to get targets on campus for visits over the next few weeks to close these fast-paced recruitments.

The Wildcats find themselves back in the wide receiver market in the spring transfer portal window after adding three scholarship transfers in the winter. Could another addition join Hardley Gilmore IV in the spring transfer portal class?

Kentucky has entered the chat for Jackson State wide receiver Isaiah Spencer and even got the transfer on campus for an official visit over the weekend. KSR’s Bio Blast is taking a closer look at the FCS transfer.

Former Southern Miss commit starts career at Jackson State

Isaiah Spencer was a three-star wide receiver recruit in the 2023 high school cycle who starred at Madison (Miss.) Central. The football prospect has a track background and was a very good basketball player for the Jaguars. Spencer committed to Southern Miss in July before his senior year season but interest started to pickup in the fall.

Georgia Tech got the prospect on campus for a visit and Ole Miss also kicked the tires. But then Deion Sanders came calling while he was at Jackson State.

The Tigers were able to get Spencer on campus for an official visit during the same weekend that Rick Ross and Snoop Dogg were on campus to see JSU defeat Campbell. Spencer credits conversations with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter for getting him to Jackson State.

The wideout signed with JSU and ultimately decided to stay there when position coach T.C. Taylor was promoted to head coach.

IT’S OFFICIAL🐅. @GoJSUTigersFB pic.twitter.com/hsoPzghZKg

— Isaiah Spencer (@iamisaiahspence) February 2, 2023

Early contributor at Jackson State

As a true freshman in 2023, Isaiah Spencer carved out a role for the Tigers. The young player appeared in 11 games (249 snaps) and finished the season with 24 receptions (33 targets) for 207 yards and one touchdown. Over 60 percent of Spencer’s snaps came in the slot for this spread offense. Spencer was at his best this season in quick game and creating after the catch.

The wideout showed some growth in year two.

The sophomore appeared in 14 games (522 snaps) and finished the season with 35 receptions (47 targets) for 660 yards and four touchdowns. Spencer saw his slot volume (78%) increase and his drop rate improved (11.5% as a freshman to 2.8% as a sophomore). The second-year player was a playmaking wide receiver for the Tigers.

SPENCER!!!#GuardTheeYard #GoTigers pic.twitter.com/GUF70KCEbb

— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) December 14, 2024

Power conference recruitment

Isaiah Spencer entered the transfer portal on April 23 and has seen plenty of suitors come calling. Baylor, BYU, California, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Utah, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin all have issued offers.

The Wildcats got the prospect on campus and are firmly in the mix in this recruitment but this recruitment is far from over.

Luckett’s scouting notebook

Isaiah Spencer (6-2, 185) is a free agent wide receiver with two years of eligibility remaining. Used primarily in the slot, Spencer emerged as an explosive play generator for the Tigers in 2025.

This is my scouting write-up on the FCS transfer.

Isaiah Spencer played slot receiver in Jackson State’s spread scheme that included wide splits on the perimeter. Scheme created plenty of operating room for receivers but Spencer showed some route-running chops. Flashed burst and explosion on double moves allowing him to create separation on vertical concepts. Could motor down and explode out of break. Thrived in slant-and-go concepts. Often got one-on-one situations with safeties and won easily. Finished his sophomore season with eight receptions on 12 targets on throws of 20-plus air yards. Was used on screens and showed some run-after-catch ability.

A true vertical weapon out of the slot, Spencer flashes an explosive skill set as a wideout that can create separation and get open deep. Do those same separation skills show up in the intermediate passing game? Route tree was limited at Jackson State and competition will be much better in step up to power conference football.

Spencer has a clear strength (vertical receiving) but might have to make a move outside to enhance that part of his game after playing slot at Jackson State unless the route-running precision translates on shorter underneath routes that require more horizontal movement. Currently looks like a Z receiver who be a vertical field stretcher for a power conference offense.