Saraland quarterback Jamison Roberts knows exactly the type of weapon he has in senior wide receiver DeShawn Spencer.

“He’s a go-get-it wide receiver,” Roberts said. “I feel like if I place it anywhere in his vicinity he’s going to go get it.”

That was certainly the case in the Class 6A state title game against Parker.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Spencer caught a pair of touchdown passes from then-quarterback KJ Lacey in the Spartans’ 28-17 loss. He was covered on both plays by top 2025 prospect and Oregon signee Na’eem Offord.

“I put the work in. I work hard,” Spencer said recently. “Knowing I was able to make that impact and get myself out there in the championship game means a lot to me.”

Spencer’s two receptions in the championship game totaled 76 yards. The running back-turned-wide receiver finished his junior season with 54 receptions for 1,037 yards and 13 TDs. He also rushed for 193 yards and a pair of scores.

With 2024 All-State wide receiver CD Gill now in college, Spencer should become even more of a focal point of Saraland’s offense this fall.

“We are going to do a lot of different things with him,” Saraland coach Jeff Kelly said. “I think back to some of the different ways (Alabama wide receiver) Ryan (Williams) affected games a few years ago. They are both extremely smart players that you have the ability to do different things with.

“Deshawn has worked himself into being a dynamic, explosive receiver. We have some other guys too that not a lot of guys know about that really get me excited about that receiving corps. I know defenses will try to do things to take DeShawn out of games. It’s our job as coaches to put him in situations and defenses in situations where they can’t do that.”

Spencer made the transition from running back to wide receiver prior to the 2024 season after Williams, the state’s only two-time Mr. Football, graduated early and left for Alabama.

“It wasn’t really that tough,” he said of the move. “At wide receiver, you are more 1-on-1 a lot, so you have to know how to win, to get open and create space between you and the sideline. It’s just like being on an island by yourself. That does make it a little different than being in the backfield all the time.”

The 247 composite rankings have Spencer as the No. 19 senior recruit in the state. He told AL.com last week he has narrowed his potential college list down to the two schools that have prioritized him most – Duke and Maryland.

He plans to announce a commitment in the next week.

“He’s going to be outstanding no matter where he goes,” Roberts said.

Kelly said Spencer has the ability to play inside or outside on the next level.

“A lot of people see him as a slot receiver, but I think he is as effective or more effective as an outside guy,” Kelly said. “A lot of people see the way he runs with the football after he catches it. After he catches it, he kind of runs like a running back. He has a lot of versatility. He will grow and develop and put on size. I think he will be one of those guys who can do both.”

Saraland opens the season at reigning 4A champ Jackson on Aug. 22 in a star-studded game that will also include Jackson stars Landon Duckworth, EJ Crowell and Keeyun Chapman.

The Spartans have played in the last three Class 6A title games, and Spencer said the team goals this year haven’t changed.

“I expect the same thing,” he said. “Our goal is always to go undefeated and get to the state championship. We try to take it day by day. Coach Kelly says every day, ‘Let’s get 1 percent better.’ Last year was last year. If we want to get back, we have to work hard to get there.”