By Julia Maenius, UTSA Athletics Communications
EDITOR'S NOTE: This feature appears in UTSA's game program for Saturday's contest with UAB. For the complete program, visit www.GoUTSA.com/program.
Building a legacy is a goal of many athletes entering a new program. Laying the foundation for continued success was the goal of San Antonio native Spencer Burford.
The senior offensive lineman first padded up for the Alamo City in kindergarten, beginning his career as a stalwart force on the field.
"I started playing football when I was four years old," Burford said. "I tried to play when I was three but they said I was too young. I was big enough when I was four so I started playing on a five- and six-year old team. That's when it kind of took off and I got to know the game at a young age. That is where my love of football came from."
As a two-way force at Wagner High School, Burford recorded 88 tackles and 28 pancake blocks in his senior season. He was selected to play in multiple all-star games and received first-team district and area accolades.
"I had a lot of programs coming in but at the end of the day, you have to dial down and make a decision," Burford said. "I really just tried to start up the program. The main reason why I stayed was to start up the program, put the city on the map and try to get more recruits that are from San Antonio."
Having been recruited in 2017, Burford made the decision to stay in his hometown to work with other local players to gain traction for the budding program.
"A lot of time San Antonio really gets overlooked in recruiting," Burford said. "Being a hometown guy and seeing that we have a university who had a football program that just got started off, I mean, why not? We have the seventh-largest city in the U.S., so why not? There's no reason why we shouldn't be a prestigious program."
As head coach Jeff Traylor took the helm, a new culture was established. Burford remarks that the most impactful aspect was the emphasis placed on the players.
"He takes into consideration the players' time and the coaches' time," Burford said. "He makes it all about the players. I feel like the guys really saw that and they really bought into the system. Now that you truly understand and can break down and communicate to talk the culture, you can live by it."
Burford was the first four-star signee to don the UTSA uniform. Motivated by his family and dedication others have put into his athletic career, Burford uses his inspiration to become an aggressive offensive force.
"The stars don't make the player, the player makes the stars," Burford said. "What motivates me is my family and my mother. All the hard work and dedication she's put in to see me, all the sacrifices she and my family has made in order to get me to this point where I am. I can't say I got here by myself because I didn't. It is all a testament to them."
Putting in the work when no one is looking is a crucial aspect of Burford's success. Continuing to build upon his skills and increase his techniques on the field are the building blocks for the drive he applies to his game.
"Everybody's not with you while you're working," Burford said. "It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. If you want to separate yourself from the pack, you have to do the extra work. There's a lot of hungry guys out there, so you can never become complacent and stagnant. It is always the next man up mentality."
As one of the many local seniors on the roster, Burford uses his leadership to support his teammates on and off the field. Through his character-driven leadership, Burford has created an atmosphere of trust with his teammates.
"I am not a big vocal guy. I like to do the work behind the scenes," Burford said. "If somebody needs something, I give it to them. If you need it and I have it, I will give it to you. If I don't have it, I will try to find a way to get it to you. I feel like I am a person where people feel comfortable enough to have a gateway where they can just talk."
After using his offseason to improve his skills at a local workout facility and with the help of former Roadrunners, Burford has seen action in eight contests this season and is carving out another All-Conference USA caliber season.
"A lot of technique that I had last year was really wild and out of control, so I focused on buckling down and keeping those things under control," Burford said. "I did a lot of swim training, speed, agility and strength training. I worked a lot with guys from the community who are out there working and that are hungry."
Playing in more than 40 contests in his career at UTSA, Burford has seen a range of outcomes. He has inked his name into history as one of the players helping the team to a 10-0 record and a national ranking.
"The comradery, this team is as close as I have ever seen it," Burford said. "From one guy caring for the next, not letting egos get in the way and just taking it day-by-day, we are all bought into the system. Everybody is ecstatic about the support we are getting from the students, the faculty and staff, the strength and conditioning staff and the coaches, it is all turning around."
During his senior campaign thus far, Burford has been invited to play in the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl, as well as named to the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List, Outland Trophy watch list and the Dave Campbell's Texas Football preseason team.
"You have to be patient," Burford said. "You cannot rush anything or hate on someone else. Whatever God has for you is coming. I am very thankful."
Following his graduation, Burford plans to pursue his football career before utilizing his criminal justice degree as a detective.
"My first plan is to go to the NFL and try to play 10 years there," Burford said. "When I get out, I am going to try to be a detective. I don't want to put bad people in jail, more to keep people out of jail. I want to be the start of positivity in the community and be someone that people can trust. Being in the community to help everybody and give back, that is what I believe in."
