The St. Louis Battlehawks signed offensive lineman Cole Spencer and re-signed linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. on Friday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Cole Spencer is six foot three and weighs 307 pounds. The 25-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. In 2024, he played in three preseason games and spent the majority of the regular season on the practice squad. The Titans released him on November 12, 2024.
Collegiately, Spencer played five seasons at Western Kentucky (2017-2021) playing left tackle in 46 games for the Hilltoppers. In 2021, Western Kentucky’s offense averaged 44.21 points per game, 102.5 rushing yards per game, 433.21 passing yards per game, 536.2 total yards per game, and 79 touchdowns finishing 9-5 for the season beating Appalachian State in the Boca Raton Bowl. He was named First Team All-Conference USA.
Then, he transferred to Texas Tech (2022-23) playing left guard in six games for the Red Raiders. In 2023, Texas Tech’s offense averaged 27.38 points per game, 162.7 rushing yards per game, 224.0 passing yards per game, 386.7 total yards per game, and 44 touchdowns finishing 7-6 for the season beating California in the Independence Bowl.
Willie Harvey Jr. is five foot eleven and weighs 229 pounds. The 29-year-old from Hastings, Florida, signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 6, 2019. He played four games for the Browns in two seasons making two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist). The Browns released him on August 30, 2022.
Then, the St. Louis Battlehawks drafted Harvey Jr. in the third round (22nd) in Phase 3 of the 2023 XFL Draft. In 2023, Harvey Jr. made 59 tackles (25 solo, 34 assists), four tackles for loss, one pass breakup, three quarterback hits, and one forced fumble in 10 games.
In 2024, Harvey Jr. led the UFL making 79 tackles (43 solos, 36 assists), and four sacks in 10 games on his way to being named to the All-UFL Team. The Battlehawks released him on June 18, 2024, and he signed with the Dallas Cowboys on the same day. Harvey Jr. made six tackles (2 solos, 4 assists) in three preseason games. The Cowboys released him on August 26, 2024.
Collegiately, Harvey Jr. played four seasons at Iowa State (2015-18) making 289 tackles (151 solos, 138 assists), 31 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, one interception for 12 yards, one touchdown, 11 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 49 games for the Cyclones. He was a three-time Big 12 Honorable Mention and played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in 2019.
