Diontae Spencer stopped in mid-sentence and turned his head toward the voice that called his name, before running back Benny Snell clarified that he was looking for the other Diontae.
If there is cause for confusion among wide receivers at Pittsburgh Steelers organized team activities, it’s because they signed CFL star Diontae Spencer to a futures contract and drafted Diontae Johnson in the third round out of Toledo.
“We always clown around about having the same name,” Spencer said Wednesday after an OTA practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. “They call ‘Diontae’ and we both look.”
And in the latest confusing names with potential for fantasy draft miscues: There are only two Diontae's in the league. Both are WRs for the Steelers. Diontae Spencer was signed out of the CFL this offseason
— Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) May 26, 2019
Where Johnson drew draft-day comparisons to All-Pro Antonio Brown as an undersized but dynamic MAC product, the 5-foot-8, 163-pound Spencer is making a name for himself at OTAs.
I am not Diontae Johnson but thanks for all the follows @Juiceup__3 ??
— Diontae Spencer (@DSpencer4_) May 22, 2019
If Spencer doesn’t look like a rookie, it’s because he’s not. The 27-year-old from McNeese State spent four seasons in the CFL, putting up impressive statistics as a receiver and return specialist. He had 81 catches for 1,007 yards and seven touchdowns last year for the Ottawa Redblacks.
“They expect that out of me, for me to come out here, get the system down and be mature,” Spencer said. “It’s something they looked at when I signed here. I can’t make that many mistakes because I’ve been through it.”
Officially a Pittsburgh Steeler. ?
— Diontae Spencer (@DSpencer4_) January 5, 2019
Spencer adds an interesting dynamic to the Steelers in the competition at slot receiver – even though he’s been practicing mostly outside – with the likes of Eli Rogers, Ryan Switzer and Johnson.
Where Spencer could separate himself is on returns.
“That’s a big part of what I do, fielding punts and kickoff returns,” Spencer said. “It’s going to be a big part of me sticking to the team, so that’s something I pride myself in.”
At McNeese State, Spencer had 365 all-purpose yards against Stephen F. Austin that included kick returns of 93 and 85 yards for touchdowns and a 35-yard punt return for another score.
Spencer opened eyes at his pro day by running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, recording a 40-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump. Though he went undrafted, the Bears brought him to their minicamp and the Rams to training camp.
That led him to Canada, where Spencer set a single-game CFL record with 496 all-purpose yards – 169 on punt returns, 165 on kick returns, 133 receiving and 29 on a missed field-goal return – against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2017.
“Canada has helped me adjust to this league,” Spencer said. “Everything is slowed down now. I’m able to play faster without thinking as much. Learning the whole system up there has made this jump easier for me. The whole speed of the game is something I’m getting accustomed to but I think I’ll be fine. …
“I know who I am and what I can do. If I stay humble and stay focused, it’ll prevail and show up for itself.”
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