Alex Golesh delivered exactly the kind of encouraging assessment you hope to hear about a freshman heading into the summer, especially when it comes to former Saraland standout and Duke flip DeShawn Spencer. Speaking about Spencer’s development during Auburn’s spring practices, Golesh made it clear he likes what he’s seen from the young receiver working out of the slot for the Auburn Tigers.
One of the biggest takeaways from Golesh’s comments was the physical growth Spencer has shown since arriving on campus. The Auburn offensive coordinator noted that Spencer has added noticeable size through his work in the weight room at the Woltosz Football Performance Center, a transformation that stood out during the annual First Light Community of Mobile Football Preview Dinner. Beyond the physical gains, Golesh repeatedly emphasized Spencer’s football intelligence and overall maturity.
Golesh recalled first meeting Spencer during his official visit, describing a recruit who was clearly excited about being at Auburn and never wavered in his desire to join the program. According to Golesh, that enthusiasm has translated seamlessly into Spencer’s day-to-day approach. He praised Spencer as a smart, tough, and highly capable football player who did a little bit of everything in high school, but has now fully bought into refining his craft as a slot receiver.
Golesh went a step further, tying Spencer’s mindset to the identity Auburn wants to build. He stressed how valuable it is to have players who genuinely want to be part of the program and take pride in being there, calling Spencer a perfect example of the type of foundational piece needed to sustain success.
On the field, Spencer could quickly find himself in the mix for meaningful snaps. With Bryce Cain still searching for a breakout moment at receiver and newcomer Christian Neptune also competing for opportunities, Spencer’s added size could give him an edge. Cain and Neptune are both on the lighter side, making Spencer’s continued progress in the weight room a potential difference-maker as roles shake out. Of course, that growth still has to translate to chemistry and execution with Byrum Brown and the rest of the quarterbacks, but the groundwork is clearly being laid behind the scenes.
That emphasis on physical development ties into a broader point about Auburn’s culture. The Tigers are determined to win in the weight room and avoid becoming a national punchline, something Alabama Crimson Tide fans recently endured after comments from Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Earl Little Jr. about Alabama’s lack of competitiveness in that area during the Nick Saban era. Auburn, at least under Golesh’s influence, does not want to flirt with that kind of reputation.
Golesh’s aggressive, no-nonsense approach has helped foster a competitive edge inside Auburn’s weight room, often referred to as the Iron Palace. That mindset appears to be spreading, with players like EDGE Jared Smith also making significant offseason gains. If more Tigers follow the examples set by Spencer and Smith, Auburn’s physical profile could continue to trend in the right direction—and that’s a promising sign for where the program is headed.