The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Sign Tanner Rusk to 2018 Class
11/8/2017 3:22:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB baseball head coach Brian Shoop has announced his first signee of the 2018 class, Tanner Rusk a right-handed pitcher from Cullman, Ala.
"We are thrilled to announce Tanner Rusk as our first signee of the 2018 Signing Class! He is obviously a great athlete having excelled in four sports at West Point High School but he is a perfect match in every way," Shoop said.
Rusk hails from Wallace-Hanceville Community College where he is set to complete his sophomore season this spring. As a freshman he made 15 appearances throwing 27.1 innings with a perfect 3-0 record. He struck out 23 batters to go along with one save and 3.62 ERA.
"We have had so many outstanding players from Wallace-Hanceville over the years and currently have Cole Collins and Stephen Dobbs," Shoop said. "We know that anyone who plays for Randy Putman will be tough and well prepared to play Division I baseball. Both of his pitching coaches, Chad Shannon and Ben Hawkins, just rave about his talent and work ethic.
We love Tanner as a pitcher and believe he will play a huge role in our staff next season. He is a strike thrower who has fastball movement and he posses a real breaking ball. This combination has been very successful under coach Josh Hopper."
Prior to Wallace-Hanceville, he was a standout at West Point HS for head coach Seth Ward where he was a member of the baseball, football, basketball and track and field team. On the diamond he was tabbed as an All-Area performer his junior and senior seasons. He was a member of the school record holding 4x400 relay team on the track, played quarterback on the football field and was 1000+ point scorer on the hard wood.
"Tanner will continue our tradition of excellence in the classroom as he has performed at the highest level in both high school and junior college. He will be another potential All-Academic C-USA player while at UAB," Shoop said.
In the classroom he is a member of Wallace-Hanceville's Phi Theta Kappa, the junior college honor society for students with a 3.5 or higher GPA, and is on the Dean's List. In high school he was a 2016 Cullman County Student of the Year and graduated 10th in his senior class.
"And best of all, on top of being a great student and high level pitcher, Tanner is an even better person. He comes from an amazing family and has the character that we all hope our sons will grow up and display. Tanner Rusk is a great addition in every way," Shoop said.
For more information on the UAB Baseball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_Baseball).
"We are thrilled to announce Tanner Rusk as our first signee of the 2018 Signing Class! He is obviously a great athlete having excelled in four sports at West Point High School but he is a perfect match in every way," Shoop said.
Rusk hails from Wallace-Hanceville Community College where he is set to complete his sophomore season this spring. As a freshman he made 15 appearances throwing 27.1 innings with a perfect 3-0 record. He struck out 23 batters to go along with one save and 3.62 ERA.
"We have had so many outstanding players from Wallace-Hanceville over the years and currently have Cole Collins and Stephen Dobbs," Shoop said. "We know that anyone who plays for Randy Putman will be tough and well prepared to play Division I baseball. Both of his pitching coaches, Chad Shannon and Ben Hawkins, just rave about his talent and work ethic.
We love Tanner as a pitcher and believe he will play a huge role in our staff next season. He is a strike thrower who has fastball movement and he posses a real breaking ball. This combination has been very successful under coach Josh Hopper."
Prior to Wallace-Hanceville, he was a standout at West Point HS for head coach Seth Ward where he was a member of the baseball, football, basketball and track and field team. On the diamond he was tabbed as an All-Area performer his junior and senior seasons. He was a member of the school record holding 4x400 relay team on the track, played quarterback on the football field and was 1000+ point scorer on the hard wood.
"Tanner will continue our tradition of excellence in the classroom as he has performed at the highest level in both high school and junior college. He will be another potential All-Academic C-USA player while at UAB," Shoop said.
In the classroom he is a member of Wallace-Hanceville's Phi Theta Kappa, the junior college honor society for students with a 3.5 or higher GPA, and is on the Dean's List. In high school he was a 2016 Cullman County Student of the Year and graduated 10th in his senior class.
"And best of all, on top of being a great student and high level pitcher, Tanner is an even better person. He comes from an amazing family and has the character that we all hope our sons will grow up and display. Tanner Rusk is a great addition in every way," Shoop said.
For more information on the UAB Baseball team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_Baseball).
Players Mentioned
C/3B
/ BaseballThe Gold Helmet Is Back
Friday, September 26
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 6
Friday, September 19
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 4
Tuesday, September 16
UAB Athletics Live Stream
Monday, September 15
