Spencer will not be back at MSU for sixth year
A day after Mississippi State linebacker Erroll Thompson announced he wouldn’t return for an extra season, another fifth-year senior defender followed suit.
Defensive end Marquiss Spencer has decided not to return for a sixth year on campus as he tweeted out a final goodbye to the MSU fans and his teammates on Wednesday night.
“Much gratitude to the Bulldogs family of Mississippi State University, my coaches, both present and former (and) my teammates/brothers,” Spencer wrote. “Because of all of you, I am a much better me. At this time, (I) humbly announce my plan to enter the 2021 NFL draft and continue to solicit your prayers and support in doing so.”
The Greenwood native had a productive career with the Bulldogs when he was healthy. His career at MSU was cut short this season when he was injured against Auburn on a hit on the Tigers’
running back Tank Bigsby, a play that resulted in a formal targeting penalty and ejection. He wouldn’t return to the game regardless as he was carted off the field after being immobilized. A source later confirmed that scans came back negative and the injury was minor. He did not play in the final two games of the season.
At 6-4, 300 pounds, Spencer was a talented pass rusher for the Bulldogs and was experiencing his most productive season this year. He had 30 tackles for the year in nine games with eight tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. He finished his career with 106 tackles in five seasons, 22.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
He played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2016, 13 in 2017 but had his season in 2018 cut short due to an injury. He returned last season as a redshirt junior and had a career high 37 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He finishes his career having played under three head coaches and four defensive coordinators with Peter Sirmon, Todd Grantham, Bob Shoop and Zach Arnett all coaching him. He also played under three defensive line coaches.
Prior to his arrival in Starkville, the two-time Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll member and MSU graduate played at Greenwood High School. He had a quiet recruitment and committed to the Bulldogs during his senior season. He was ranked a four-star prospect by 247Sports and was the No. 10 ranked player in the state in the 2016 class.
Spencer joins Thompson as the only two players that have formally announced their plans for the 2021 season since the bowl game but fellow senior and former Starkville High School player Kobe Jones is also expected to announce his soon. MSU has also had two players enter the transfer portal on Wednesday as backup running back Lee Witherspoon formally entered in the morning and Cameron Gardner announced his plans to transfer in the evening.