June 10, 2021: 2022 Colombia Heights, Minn. TE Spencer Alvarez received an offer from the Gophers Thursday, and immediately committed.
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Minnesota received its first football commitment since March 25 in the form of; class of 2022, 6-foot-7-inch, tight end Spencer Alvarez. The Colombia Heights student-athlete joins Kristen Hoskins and Tony Nelson as the third class of 2022 player from MN to commit to the home state Gophers. The Maroon & Gold were Alvarez’s first division one offer and he committed immediately. He was also receiving interest from Iowa State on top of having an offer from Minnesota State Mankato (D2).
Blessed to have earned a scholarship to the University of Minnesota〽️, and I am 100% committed #SkiUMah #RTB @TNTACADEMY1 @Emoneyshow @Coach_Fleck @CoachCPatt @CoachMGSimon @CoachSanfordRTB @RyanBurnsMN @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/l0FD8uK3fx
— Spencer Alvarez (@Spencer10Alv) June 10, 2021
Who is Spencer Alvarez?:
Spencer Alvarez is a two-sport student-athlete who attends Colombia Heights High School. Outside of football, he also is quite a basketball player. He was a member of Howard Pulley’s top 16U team as a sophomore after playing a large role for Colombia Heights in the winter. On the football field, he obviously plays as a tight end, but he is also a very effective defensive lineman. Amidst a terrific junior football season last fall, Alvarez, unfortunately, tore his ACL and he is still recovering from the injury.
- Scouting Report:
Standing at 6-feet-7-inches and 245 pounds, Alvarez is a very intimidating redzone threat from the tight end position. His sheer size and strength consistently shows up at the high school level. You can notice that realizes he is bigger and stronger than most of his opposition and he takes advantage of it. His blocking is already fairly refined for someone his age, and you would only expect it to get better once he gets into the Gophers’ system. His route running is pretty smooth for someone his size, but definitely has room to grow. You can tell that he has the tools to be an all-around tight end in the Big 10. He has a plethora of high-end plays on the defensive side of the ball, which can tell you that he understands the entire game and how to be an all-around football player.
What is next?:
Looking at the Gophers’ 2022 recruiting class as a whole — Alvarez becomes the sixth player to commit. He joins four-star defensive lineman Trey Bixby, quarterback Jacob Knuth, wide receiver Kristen Hoskins, offensive lineman Tony Nelson and defensive back Coleman Bryson. Minnesota’s 2022 class now ranks 39th nationally according to 247sports.
The NCAA had enforced a year-long recruiting dead period, which prohibited in-person visits to schools and homes until it was recently lifted to ban about two months ago. The fact that P.J. Fleck (someone who obviously uses his personality to recruit) has already landed six commitments in his 2022 class, rankings 39th nationally is certainly promising. As we continue to get back to normal, I am sure Fleck’s recruiting will do the same.