The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jared Nixon Signs With UAB Baseball
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Jared Nixon of Marbury, Ala. will join the UAB baseball team for the 2016 season, head coach Brian Shoop announced on Monday. Nixon is the fourth player to sign with the squad, joining Carter Pharis, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Graham.
"We had recruited another player at Marbury High School one summer ago, and through that relationship with coach (Lyman) Woodfin we found out about Jared," Shoop said. "He felt Jared would be an outstanding fit for us at UAB and he was right. Coach (Perry) Roth went and saw Jared play at the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Underclass Event last summer and immediately called me about our potential future center fielder. I saw him play several times throughout the summer for his American Legion team and I quickly agreed with coach Roth - that Jared would be a special player for the Blazers."
Nixon was a 5A all-state selection last year as a junior and he also earned honorable mention honors as a freshman. He was selected to Team Alabama for the ALABCA this past summer, where he competed in the Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama Border Wars.
"I have always loved runners and Jared is one of the fastest players in our state," Shoop said. "We need speed to cover the big outfield at Regions Field as well as Young Memorial Field, and I love the options speed gives you in your offense. We believe he is in that mold of former Blazer runners like Jamal Austin and Brint Hardy. With as fast as Jared is, we also think he will hit with some power from the left side. Our approach to the game will be a perfect fit for Jared and we are super excited to add his abilities to our 2016 Blazers."
Last year, Nixon hit .458 in 34 games with 31 runs, 27 RBI, 11 doubles, two triples and three home runs. He also swiped 17 bases and had a 6-3 record on the mound with a 2.48 ERA.
Nixon was also part of a state runner-up team with American Legion baseball this past summer under Wade Atchley.
"He has played on winning teams at Marbury and in Legion Baseball," Shoop added. "When you play on winning teams you learn how to win and what it takes to be successful. We look forward to adding a dynamic competitive player in our program."
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
