Kinney Inks 10 in Inaugural Signing Class

BIRMINGHAM – Entering his first season at the helm of the UAB men's soccer team, head coach Jeff Kinney has announced the signing of 10 members to his inaugural class.

The class includes Brooks Rice (Forward/Birmingham, Ala.), Guillermo Rodriguez (Center Back/Rosenburg, Texas), Alex Eristavi (Midfielder/Marietta, Ga.), Grayson DuPont (Midfielder/Birmingham, Ala.), Krenar Krasniqi (Defender, Midfielder/Osnabruek, Germany), Nataniel St. Louis (Forward/Tornoto, Ontario), Diego Khayat (Midfielder/Haifa, Israel), DJ Lynch (Goalkeeper/Cape Giradeau, Mo.), Ethan Gamero (Midfielder/Friendswood, Texas) and Willsey League (Utility/Huntsville, Ala).

"We expect big things from this well rounded class," Kinney said. "The staff has done a great job of finding players that fill our needs on the field and that also fit the mold of the type of the person that we want in our program. Combined with the already talented group of young men we have in place here, we are excited to get this group on campus so we can start working on getting better as a whole."

Brooks Rice | Forward | UNCG | Birmingham, Ala.

Rice is coming back to his hometown after spending his freshman season at UNCG where he did not see any action for the Spartans. Prior to moving to Greensboro, Rice was a standout at Spain Park High School where he was 2017-18 Gatorade Alabama Boys Soccer Player of the Year after accounting for 37 goals and 11 assists, guiding the Jaguars to an 11-10-2 record.

Kinney on Rice:
"We are excited to bring an Alabama player back home. Brooks had a good freshman season at UNCG and will help us in wide and central areas."

Guillermo Rodriguez | Center Back | Episcopal High School | Rosenburg, Texas

Rodriguez is a native of Rosenburg, Texas, a suburb of Houston, where he has been a member of the Houston Dynamo Development Team. The midfielder has netted a pair of goals in 39 starts, while also being a Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Honorable Mention All-State as a senior in 2018.

Kinney on Rodriguez:
"Having played for one of the better academy program as well as being coached by one of UAB's finest in Jose Reyo, Guillermo will really solidify an already solid back four."

Alex Eristavi | Midfielder | Walton HS | Marietta, Ga.

Eristavi is a native of Marietta, Ga., where he played for the US Youth Soccer National League Georgia Team, helping the squad to a 3-2-1 record. The midfielder helped Walton High School to a 9-9-1 record his senior season, taking the Raiders to the second round of the Class AAAAAAA state playoffs.

Kinney on Eristavi:
"Alex is a technical player and extremely smart. He will definitely add to our midfield composure and aid in the experience at the position."

Grayson DuPont | Midfielder | University of New Mexico | Birmingham, Ala.

DuPont comes back to his hometown after spending the previous two seasons at the University of New Mexico where he played in 17 games. The midfielder netted his first career goal in a 2-1 Conference USA victory over South Carolina.

Kinney on DuPont:
"Having experience with playing in C-USA already, Grayson will help us tremendously with his knowledge. He has a tremendous amount of versatility and we are looking forward to getting him on campus."

Krenar Krasniqi | Defender/Midfielder | Montevallo | Osnabrueck, Germany

Krasniqi transfers to UAB from nearby Montevallo. The utility player made 11 starts for the Falcons in 2018, recording a game winner over Shorter in a 3-2 victory.

Kinney on Krasniqi:
"Krenar's pace and size gives us the ability to play him in a variety of different spots. We are also excited because he is another player who brings in collegiate soccer experience."

Nathaniel St. Louis | Forward | Syracuse | Toronto, Ontario

St. Louis comes to Birmingham after having spent his first season at perennial powerhouse Syracuse. As a freshman for the 'Cuse he appeared in two games, recording one assist against Ohio State in a 3-0 victory. A Toronto native, St. Louis was a member of the Vaughan Soccer where he was recognized as Ontario Youth Soccer League's top goal scorer of the year on three occasions.

Kinney on St. Louis:
"Having played for both Syracuse and Vaughn, Nat has been coached well throughout his career. We will look to him to give us attacking options up top."

Diego Khayat | Midfielder | Haifa, Israel | The Reali Hebrew School

Khayat is a central midfielder who played for the Reali Hebrew School in Haifa, Israel.

Kinney on Khayat:
"Diego will give us some much needed patience, along with skill and intelligence in the center of the field. We are excited to get him here and begin his development."

DJ Lynch | Goalkeeper | Cape Giradeau, Mo. | Notre Dame Regional High School

Lynch comes to Birmingham after a successful prep career at Notre Dame Regional High School where he was named First Team All-District in Class 2 as a senior. The goalkeeper helped the Bulldogs to a 14-9-3 overall, a spot in the state quarterfinals, and averaged seven saves a games, while pitching nine shutouts.

Kinney on Lynch:
"DJ had an extremely successful prep and junior career and we think will help us tremendously in net. We think he will make a big impact over his career."

Ethan Gamero | Midfielder | Friendswood, Texas | Friendswood

Gamero was the first signee for Kinney, having inked his National Letter of Intent on Feb. 14. As a midfielder for Friendswood, Gamero helped the Mustangs to two district championships in 2016 and 2019, while he spent time with the Houston Dynamo Youth Soccer program in the offseason.

Kinney on Gamero:
"Ethan is quick and explosive and gives us a great amount of attacking options from a wide range of areas."

Willsey League | Forward | Huntsville, Ala. | Huntsville

League is another Alabama native coming in with this year's class, having played his high school career at Huntsville. Coached by former Blazer Babayele Sodade, League helped the Panthers to a 19-7-1 record, including a 6-1 mark in region play and a spot in the first round of the 7A state playoffs en route to earning Team MVP honors.

Kinney on League:
"Willsey is feisty and fast and gives us the ability to stretch teams and press in on their defensive backline."

For more information on the UAB men's soccer team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MSoc) or on Instagram (UAB_MSoc).

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

Kinney Inks 10 in Inaugural Signing Class

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