Player Primer: Spencer Nagel

Lemont’s 2017 QB Spencer Nagel is a relentless worker always looking for ways to improve his game. We talked schools he’s been in touch with, his work with Greg Holcomb at Next Level Athletix and his strengths on the field that he can bring to a college football program.

You can find Spencer on Twitter @SpencerNagel1 .

Spencer Nagel

Quarterback
Lemont
Lemont, IL
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 185 lbs
Class: 2017

Commitment status: Undecided

LPI: The Indians had a great regular season finishing at 9-0, but fell to a talented St. Laurence team in the 6A quarterfinals. Now that your season is over, what are you going to do to take your game to the next level this offseason?

SN: I wish the season hadn’t ended the way it did even though we had a great start, but there’s nothing we could have done to change that. Anyway, during this offseason I’m trying to lift 4 times a week, and I am also trying to keep my arm loose by going to Next Level Training with Greg Holcomb once or twice a month since the weather is still pretty bad. When the weather starts getting better though I will start passing more often, I would like to pass three times a week maybe four.

LPI: You currently do not have any offers, but I believe you definitely have what it takes to play college ball. What skill set can you bring to the table for a college football program?

SN: I know I’m not the biggest kid on the field, but I know that my intelligence on the field helps me balance my size out to help me play faster than most kids. My head coach Bret Kooi even said himself that I’m not the biggest kid out there but I am smart enough to play where I do and that I was one of the two Quarterbacks he ever gave full audible calls to. Not only am I football smart, but I can throw the ball efficiently and accurately. I know my percentage doesn’t show that this year, because this year we aired the ball out farther rather than efficiently.

LPI: What schools have you been in touch with recently and do you have any planned visits coming up?

SN: Some schools have been coming to the High School to come take a look and a few of them are Loras, McKendree, UW-Stevens Point, and Truman State. I haven’t been in contact with these schools very much lately, but hope to go visit some of them soon.

LPI: On and off the field, how do you demonstrate leadership?

SN: I demonstrate leadership, because I will do whatever it takes to help the team out with anything I can do in my power. I also demonstrate this because I try not to get down on these guys and shake my head or keep my head down, I try to get everyone up and I look to see what we can do on the next play or the next drive not look back on what bad things happened. This is also the same for everyday situations off the field, because I try not to focus on the bad things going on and only the good things going on even though it’s a very hard thing to do.

LPI: Your younger brother, Austin Nagel, is a talented junior WR for Lemont. Being a QB, what’s it like growing up with a WR brother so close in age to you? Would you say that you guys feed off each other and help elevate each other’s games?

SN: It’s great actually because ever since we were little we were always in the backyard doing whatever it was like throwing any type of ball around or shooting a basketball around. Not only do I have Austin, but I have another brother who is just 2 years younger than me so the competition in the house is enjoyable and fun at times. I would say we do feed off of each other and elevate off that because it’s that competition all the time it makes us want to be better than each other.

LPI: Tell me about some of your teammates that can play at the next level, but are getting overlooked by college coaches.

SN: It’s not that kids are getting over looked at my school, but most of them just don’t want to play at the next level. Some kids on our team can play at the next level, but choose not to. However, some kids who I don’t think get enough looks are Steve Fleming, Frank Letizia and Caleb Quade.

Steve Fleming – A great receiver that can fly past kids. He has the type of speed teams are scared to play. So if we needed a deep ball to get down the field we would usually go to him or my brother and they would get us where we needed to be.

Frank Letizia – Frank was great for us this year at Middle Linebacker because he would put his nose down and go get the ball carrier better than all kids we had played this year. Not only is he great in the box but he has the speed to chase down a guy running down the field. He made a good amount of tackles like that this year that saved a few touchdowns.

Caleb Quade – Is a very quick guard that can do great with the pass block. Caleb wasn’t the biggest guy so he made up for it with his speed on pulls and whatever else he needed to do. His pass block was great this year even though he had an injury that kept him out for a few games, I don’t think I ever felt uncomfortable in the pocket with him at guard and that goes for the whole O-line this past year.