LAKE CHARLES – Former McNeese All-American kick returner and wide receiver
Diontae Spencer has signed a deal with the NFL's Pittsburg Steelers, fulfilling a childhood dream to making it to the highest level of professional football.
Spencer, who has spent the last four years in the CFL following a record-breaking career with the Cowboys from 2010-13, was a two-time CFL All-Star with the Ottawa Redblacks the last two seasons where he helped his team play for the Grey Cup – the CFL's version of the Lombardi Trophy.
The New Iberia native kept patient over the past three years after working out for several NFL teams following the CFL season, and this year, worked out for the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and the Steelers. The Steelers came calling.
"This played into the perfect situation," said Spencer who was the Cowboys' MVP for the 2013 season where he broke or tied 10 McNeese, Southland Conference or NCAA records on his way to first-team all-conference and all-American honors as well as being named the FCS College Football Performance Award National All-Purpose Performer of the Year. "I didn't want to rush it (signing with a team) because I've had a great four years in the CFL. I'm 26 years old and going into my prime. This opportunity was perfect and I couldn't pass on it. It all fell into place."
Spencer said his deal is for three years with the Steelers honoring the first year.
"In my mindset, I'm playing on a 1-year deal," he said, "even though it's for three years."
The speedster said he was brought in to work as a return specialist and a wide receiver who can stretch the field.
"(Pittsburgh) Coach (Mike) Tomlin told me he wanted me to work at both areas because of what I can create on the field. The return game is a way that I can get on the field as soon as possible."
Spencer said he'll report to the team headquarters for the first time in April at OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and will then report to training camp in July.
"This is kind of like living a dream," said Spencer. "I told myself when I first started playing football, I wanted to be a pro at the highest level. I was just waiting for the opportunity. God blessed me to go to the CFL for four years and playing there helped me become the player that I am today.
"I believe my ceiling will only keep growing."
In 2018 with the Redblacks, Spencer was named a CFL All-Star after finishing the year with 849 punt return yards, 815 yards on kickoff returns, and caught 81 passes for 1,007 yards and seven touchdowns.
After his college days, Spencer signed with the then-St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent then was picked up by the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in December of 2014 where he caught 107 passes for 1,208 yards in two years with the organization.
He signed with the Redblacks in October 2017, and in a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, set a CFL single-game record with 496 all-purpose yards: 133 receiving, 165 kickoff return, and 169 punt return yards.
Spencer earned all-America honors by Beyond Sports Network his senior season at McNeese and earned first team All-Southland Conference honors as a return specialist. He ended his career making 101 catches for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdown catches.
He set a single-game school record with 365 all-purpose yards against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 9, 2013 when he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns (also a single-game and single-season record while tying career mark) in addition to a punt return for a TD. His three return TDs set a new conference record while tying an NCAA mark.
