LEXINGTON, Ky. — Three WKU Football players were named to the 2021 Kentucky Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team, the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Friday morning. Louisville natives Omari Alexander and Cole Spencer, as well as Princeton native Demetrius Cain were honored.
The Kentucky Collegiate All Commonwealth Team is a preseason recognition award for football players attending a Kentucky college or university. They represent the best college football players that the state of Kentucky has to offer while their dedication to the game has contributed significantly to their teams. The players shall have the distinctive responsibility to lead their teammates in the classroom and on the field.
“These men are great representatives of our program and I know they’ll be great representatives of the All-Commonwealth Team as well,” head coach Tyson Helton said.
Omari Alexander transferred to WKU from Eastern Kentucky and has been a key member on special teams units and in the defensive back rotation. He has played in all 25 games over the past two seasons for the Hilltoppers, with 33 total tackles (22 solo, 11 assisted) – including 4.5 for loss – and eight pass breakups.
The Louisville native – who went to duPont Manual High School – walked on to the team in the 2019 offseason and earned a scholarship following that campaign. The redshirt senior defensive back has an incredible life story which was highlighted in this feature article published on September 30 and was a 2020 Burlsworth Trophy nominee – an award that recognizes the most outstanding FBS football player who began his career as a Walk-On.
Demetrius Cain has appeared in 35 games for WKU over the past four seasons, producing 26 total tackles (15 solo, 11 assisted) – including 1.5 for loss – with one sack, four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. After redshirting in 2016, he suffered season-ending injuries in both 2017 (after nine contests) and 2018 (after four contests).
The Princeton native – who went to Caldwell County High School – has shown tremendous commitment, resolve and perseverance to return to the field and play in 22 games over the past two years. The sixth-year senior linebacker has been a key member on special teams units and has seen his role steadily grow on the defensive side of the ball during his time with the Hilltoppers.
Cole Spencer has started 31 games for WKU at left tackle over the past four seasons, including 23 consecutively dating back to 2019. The redshirt junior offensive tackle has been a PFF College All-Conference USA First Team selection in back-to-back years, and was recognized by the league’s coaches as a 2020 Honorable Mention lineman.
The Louisville native – who went to Trinity High School – has played 2,137 career snaps for the Hilltoppers, including 1,577 over the past two campaigns. With a 78.2 overall blocking rating in 2020, he ranked second among C-USA tackles, behind only teammate Mason Brooks’ 83.4. That followed a 2019 performance when he did not allow a sack or get called for a penalty all season while producing an overall blocking rating of 81.8, which led all C-USA tackles.
The players are to be recognized during the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony, which will be televised on WTVQ Channel 36 on June 25, 2021 at 7 p.m. CT. It will also be available across all social media outlets.
The Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame did not announce a Kentucky Collegiate All-Commonwealth Team in 2020, but the previous honorees in 2019 included former WKU players Ta’Corian Darden, Lucky Jackson, Seth Joest and Devon Key.
The Hilltoppers held their annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 17 to conclude WKU’s month of spring practices. The team will turn their focus to summer workouts and prepare for fall practices. The 2021 season is set to begin on Thursday, September 2 as the Hilltoppers host UT Martin.How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Football, follow the program via social media @WKUFootball on Twitter and Facebook.
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