The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Cullman Standout Huddleston Signs NLI to Play Baseball at UAB
7/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 16, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Blake Huddleston, a right-handed pitcher and utility player from Cullman, Ala. has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play baseball for the UAB Blazers next season as announced by head coach Brian Shoop on Monday. Huddleston was tabbed an all-state selection by The Birmingham News in June.
"We began recruiting Blake last summer, so we are obviously thrilled that he has decided to attend UAB," Shoop said. "I have always loved dual position players so we will give Blake every opportunity in the world to both pitch and play a position."
Huddleston was a multi-facet player for the Cullman HS Bearcats, playing in both the infield and outfield in addition to his duties on the mound. In 2007, Huddleston's Bearcat club played its way to the Alabama 5A state title, earning him all-state and all-area honors.
"Blake is a winner in every way," Shoop said. "He was an all-state selection and has overpowering stuff on the mound. He has been a leader on Cullman's state championship team and has played for one of the best high school coaches in our state in Bryan Bowen."
Huddleston finished his Bearcat career in 2007 by hitting .406 with 10 home runs, 49 RBI and 15 stolen bases in his senior campaign.
Not only a winner on the diamond, Huddleston excels in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society.
"Blake is a hard worker," Shoop said. "He's a winner off the field and is exactly the type of young man we are recruiting and trying to build this program around."
Huddleston becomes the eighth player to sign an NLI to play for the Blazers next season. He joins Nick Crawford (2B, Evangelical Christian School), Devin Hamilton (1B, Harrison HS) Bradley Hicks (OF, Faith Academy), Beau Pender (RHP, Gulf Coast CC), Austin Taylor (OF, Holmes CC), Digger Towe (C, Indian Hills CC) and Trey Vice (LHP, Westbrook Christian School) as newcomers to the UAB baseball family.
