Mason offensive lineman Joe Spencer (Illinois commit) had a phone conversation with new Illinois coach Tim Beckman Sunday and it went very well, according to Mason coach Brian Castner.
Beckman, a former Toledo coach, was named the Illinois coach on Friday. He replaces Ron Zook, who was ousted last month following his team’s historic late-season collapse.
The departure of Zook had Spencer reassessing his commitment to the Fighting Illini. At the time, Mason coach Brian Castner said that Spencer would consider other schools until Illinois hires new coaching staff.
“Right now it’s still waiting until the new coach is hired and then building a relationship and getting to know what they see with the program and which direction they’re going to take it,” Spencer told ESPN last month.
Spencer, ranked the 14th-best center and considered a three-star prospect, verbally committed to Illinois in mid-July. At the time of his commitment, he has also had offers from UC, Illinois, South Florida, Air Force, Ohio University, Akron, Toledo, Kent State, Bowling Green, Miami University, Buffalo and Florida International.
Spencer was named an Associated Press Division I second-team all-district selection this season. He was first-team all-Greater Miami Conference.
Spencer’s lead recruiter, Illinois assistant coach Jeff Brohm, met with the 6-foot-4 and 275 pound tackle at school on Nov. 29. While Spencer said it did little to reaffirm his commitment, he remains verbally committed to Illinois. Brohm reassured Spencer that the athletic department will honor all commitments while Zook was coach, according to ESPN.
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