The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Signs 41 Players from the Transfer Portal
1/27/2026 2:30:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Football welcomed 41 recruits from the transfer portal, giving the Blazers the fourth-ranked transfer class in the American Conference and the eighth-ranked transfer class among non-power-conference teams.
The Blazers bring in a spread of talent and experience with 16 transfers from the group of five level, 15 transfers from power-conference schools, eight players from the FCS, and two players from JUCO. 27 of the 41 additions are new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham's adds. 13 players, including four linemen, four wide receivers, three running backs, and two tight ends, will play on the offensive side of the ball. Finally, one specialist rounds out the transfer class.
In alphabetical order, the 41 Blazer additions are as follows:
Colby Archie, LB, Dodge City CC, Junior
Originally from Jackson, Miss., Archie played two seasons at Dodge City CC in Kansas, where he totaled 41 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and seven sacks, according to the Conquistadors' website. Archie is listed at 6'2", 225lb, and is a three-star JUCO transfer.
Que Billingsley, DB, Gardner-Webb, Redshirt Junior
Billingsley played in 12 games for Gardner-Webb in 2025, making 35 tackles and two sacks for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Billingsley made one interception and broke up eight passes in his season at Gardner-Webb. Prior to Gardner-Webb, Billingsley played two seasons for Kennesaw State, playing 13 games for the Owls, making 34 tackles in Kennesaw. Billingsley is 6'0", 190lb.
Muaaz Byard, LB, Middle Tennessee, Redshirt Senior
Byard played 20 games for the Blue Raiders, starting in five. Byard recorded 57 tackles across his two seasons in Murfreesboro. As a redshirt junior, Byard made 37 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and two pass breakups. As a redshirt sophomore, he tallied 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery. Byard also appeared on special teams for Middle Tennessee. Originally from York, Penn., Byard is 6'0", 232lb.
Keyon Cox, OT, Oregon State, Redshirt Junior
Cox played four games in his lone season in Corvallis, making one start for the Beavers against Tulsa. Prior to Oregon State, Cox played three games for UCF across his first two collegiate seasons. Cox returns to his home state with two years of eligibility remaining. A Phenix City, Ala. native, Cox is 6'5", 296lb.
Cam Cunningham, DL, Youngstown State, Redshirt Senior
Cunningham played 13 games for Youngstown State in 2025, making 18 tackles and one interception for the Penguins. Before Youngstown State, Cunningham played three seasons at Fayetteville State, where he made 22 tackles in 17 games. Cunningham began his college career at Saginaw Valley State, redshirting in 2020 before playing in two games in 2021. Cunningham is listed at 6'3", 305lb.
KJ Daniels, WR, Oklahoma, Redshirt Sophomore
Daniels spent two seasons at Oklahoma, not seeing any action for the Sooners. Daniels was a four-star prospect out of high school after helping Bowling Green School to a 2023 district title and state runner-up. Daniels is from Franklinton, La., and is listed at 5'9", 165lb.
Marlin Dean, DL, Georgia State, Redshirt Senior
Dean joins the Blazers after a season on Georgia State's defense. With the Panthers, Dean recorded 32 tackles, three tackles for loss, a safety, and a forced fumble in 11 games. Prior to Georgia State, Dean played nine games at Utah State, registering six tackles for the Aggies. Dean began his college career at Georgia, where he played in one game, garnering two tackles. He then moved on to Butler CC, earning first-team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honors. Dean is 6'5", 240lb, and hails from Elberton, Ga.
Ike Esonwune, LB, Oklahoma State, Redshirt Junior
Esonwune played 12 games for the Cowboys in 2025, making 31 tackles and breaking up two passes as a redshirt sophomore. His production saw an increase toward the end of the season, including a six-tackle game with a pass breakup at UCF. Esonwune played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman, making one tackle in 2024. He redshirted his true freshman season in Stillwater. Esonwune is 6'0", 225lb, originally from Austin, Texas.
Draden Fullbright, DB, Oklahoma State, Redshirt Freshman
Fullbright played in four games during his true freshman season at Oklahoma State in 2025, maintaining his redshirt status. Fullbright made two tackles in his four appearances for the Cowboys. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Fullbright was a three-star prospect out of North Crowley HS. Fullbright is 5'11", 175lb.
Blanche Gold, DL, Morgan State, Redshirt Senior
Gold took a big step in 2025 at Morgan State, playing in all 12 games and being named to the All-MEAC First Team. Last season, Gold made 45 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks with a forced fumble. Gold played in 15 games prior to his breakout season. Gold is 6'1", 240lb from Landover, Md., and is rated as a three-star transfer.
Elijah Hall, DL, Liberty, Redshirt Senior
Hall played 24 games for the Flames across two seasons, recording 20 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three pass breakups in his time in Lynchburg. Prior to Liberty, Hall spent two seasons at Wake Forest, playing two games for the Demon Deacons after redshirting as a freshman. Hall is a three-star transfer listed at 6'3", 265lb.
Badger Hargett, P, LSU, Redshirt Junior
Hargett did not see any action in his three seasons at LSU. He was ranked as the nation's No. 5 high school punter by Kohl's Kicking Camp in 2022. Hargett is 5'9", 185lb from Lafayette, La.
Scott Isacks III, TE, Florida, Redshirt Senior
Isacks did not see action in 2025 for the Gators after getting time in seven games in both 2023 and 2024. He redshirted his freshman season in 2022. Isacks is listed at 6'4", 250lb, and is from New Orleans, La.
Tylin Jackson, DL, Eastern Washington, Redshirt Junior
Jackson played in 26 games for Eastern Washington, including 12 in both 2024 and 2025. Jackson recorded 3.5 sacks as an Eagle, making 55 total tackles and forcing two fumbles. Jackson tallied his 2025 season high of five tackles at Incarnate Word to open the season, making two tackles for loss against the Cardinal. Jackson is a 6'5", 260-lber from Federal Way, Wash.
Jeremiah Jordan, DB, Memphis, Redshirt Senior
Jordan played in two games at Memphis, recording six tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack in his limited playing time. Prior to Memphis, Jordan played in 29 games for Harding across two seasons, logging 42 tackles, two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Jordan redshirted in 2022, his first season at Harding. Jordan is 6'2", 200lb, and is from Cordova, Tenn.
Raymond "Cookie" Macias, DL, Campbell, Senior
Macias played in 24 games for Campbell, making 48 tackles for the Camels, including four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Macias forced one fumble as a sophomore, making a career-high 25 tackles in 12 games that same year. Macias is from La Puente, Calif., and is listed at 6'1", 300lb.
Barrett Maddox, OL, Itawamba CC, Redshirt Junior
Maddox returns to NCAA DI after playing one season at Itawamba CC. Maddox began his collegiate career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Marshall for his redshirt freshman season. Maddox is the 44th-ranked JUCO transfer in the cycle, the 8th-overall offensive tackle.
Anta'veon McKenzie, DB, Sacramento State, Redshirt Junior
McKenzie played in 28 games for the Hornets across three years, starting in 12 games. As a redshirt sophomore, McKenzie made 48 tackles with a season-high seven at Nevada. McKenzie made 37 tackles in 2024 with two tackles for loss and an interception. As a true freshman, McKenzie played in two playoff games for the Hornets, making seven tackles at North Dakota and South Dakota, his only production of the season. McKenzie is from Stockton, Calif., and is listed at 6'1", 193lb.
Braylon "Bam" McReynolds, RB, ULM, Redshirt Senior
McReynolds brings the most production of any portal signee with 1,817 career total yards from three seasons at South Alabama and a year at ULM. As a Warhawk, McReynolds rushed for 637 yards on 123 carries with three touchdowns. McReynolds added one score through the air on one of his 16 receptions for 90 total receiving yards. Prior to his season in Monroe, McReynolds played at South Alabama for three years, rushing for 669 yards on 125 carries, scoring once on the ground. McReynolds also had 421 receiving yards on 43 receptions with one touchdown. McReynolds is from Mobile, and is listed at 5'7", 195lb.
Tiaquelin Mims, WR, Texas State, Redshirt Senior
Mims appeared in two games for Texas State in 2025 after playing 32 games across three seasons at Southern Miss. Mims led the Golden Eagles in receptions as a sophomore and junior with 39 and 33 catches, respectively. Mims totaled 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in his three years in Hattiesburg. Mims also returned kicks and punts for Southern Miss with 311 total return yards. Mims is from Bay Minette, Ala., and is listed at 5'9", 175lb.
Shaun Myers, LB, Colorado, Graduate Student
Myers played in all 12 games for the Buffaloes in 2025, starting the final four of the season. Myers made 36 tackles, including five tackles for loss and a sack, while breaking up one pass and forcing one fumble. He finished the 2025 home season with his best performance, making eight tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery against Arizona State. Prior to Colorado, Myers played three seasons at North Alabama with 105 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions in 24 games for the Lions. Myers played one season at Hocking CC out of high school, making 41 tackles in nine games at Hocking. Myers is 6'1", 220lb from Dayton, Ohio.
Noah Nelson, DL, Georgia State, Redshirt Senior
Nelson played in five games at Georgia State, making tackles against Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. Prior to Georgia State, Nelson played at Grambling State and Clark Atlanta, where he combined for seven games played. Nelson is listed at 6'5", 295lb, and is originally from Atlanta.
Sean Persson, TE, Toledo, Redshirt Junior
Persson is a 6'6", 235lb tight end from Mapleton, Utah, who did not see game action at Toledo in his only season with the Rockets. Before Toledo, Persson tallied 364 receiving yards on 26 receptions with six touchdowns at Citrus College in California. Persson was named to the SCFA all-state team and was unanimously voted first team all-conference at Citrus.
Jotavion Pierce, DB, Oklahoma State, Redshirt Freshman
Pierce did not play for Oklahoma State in his true freshman season. He played high school football at Montgomery Catholic, where he helped guide his team to a state title in both his junior and senior seasons. Pierce made the all-state team and was a finalist for the 5A Defensive Back of the Year award. Pierce was a three-star prospect out of high school and is currently a three-star transfer. He is listed at 6'1", 200lb.
Elijah Pratt, DB, SMU, Redshirt Freshman
Pratt spent his freshman season at SMU but did not see any action with the Mustangs. Pratt was a three-star prospect out of IMG Academy where he recorded 75 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three interceptions across three seasons. Pratt is listed at 5'11", 175lb.
EJ Reid, WR, Wake Forest, Redshirt Sophomore
Reid played in three games for the Demon Deacons across his two seasons in Winston-Salem, N.C. All of Reid's snaps came as a true freshman in 2024. Reid is a three-star transfer originally from Woodbridge, Va. He is listed at 5'8", 178lb.
Samuel Riddy Jr, OL, East Carolina, Redshirt Sophomore
A 6'6", 288lb tackle from North Charleston, S.C., Riddy spent two seasons at East Carolina. Riddy redshirted his true freshman season and did not see action during his redshirt freshman season. Initially a three-star two-way player in high school and recruited to play defense for the Pirates but switched to the offensive line as a true freshman.
Roderick Robinson II, RB, Georgia, Redshirt Junior
Robinson played three seasons at Georgia, appearing in 17 games. Robinson rushed 24 times as a freshman, totaling 196 ground yards and two touchdowns. In just two games as a sophomore, Robinson rushed four times and caught two passes. Robinson played in 10 games in 2025, rushing six times and catching two passes, including the opening touchdown of the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. Robinson is from San Diego, Calif., listed at 6'1", 235lb. Robinson was a four-star prospect out of high school, the 14th-ranked running back in his class.
Sterling Sanders, DL, Boston College, Redshirt Freshman
Sanders appeared in the season opener for the Golden Eagles against Fordham but did not see action for the rest of the season, maintaining his redshirt status. Sanders was a four-star prospect out of high school with 40 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks as a senior in 2024. Listed at 6'4", 291lb, Sanders is a three-star transfer from Blythewood, S.C.
Ja'vin Simpkins, RB, Coastal Carolina, Redshirt Junior
Simpkins played 27 games for the Chanticleers across three seasons, seeing a major uptick in production in 2025. Simpkins ran the ball 125 times for 591 yards and two touchdowns, adding 17 receptions for 74 yards. Simpkins was limited as a sophomore, missing time due to injury. He was primarily a kick return specialist for his freshman season, returning 21 kickoffs for 395 yards. Simpkins is from Miami, Fla, listed at 5'8", 185lb.
CJ Smith, WR, Memphis, Redshirt Senior
Smith joins the Blazers after a year at Memphis, where he played 12 games for the Tigers. Prior to Memphis, Smith played three games for Purdue after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Georgia. Smith logged six receptions for 116 yards at Georgia and six receptions totaling 69 yards at Purdue. Smith is 6'2", 194lb.
Chris Spencer, DL, Old Dominion, Redshirt Senior
Spencer played 19 games for Old Dominion across four seasons in the Monarchs program. After redshirting as a freshman, Spencer saw the field in seven games leading up to the 2025 season, where he played in 12 games, making seven tackles. Spencer made one sack for the Monarchs. Spencer is 6'5", 255lb from Burgaw, N.C.
Braden Sullivan, LB, EKU, Senior
Sullivan totaled 171 tackles across two seasons at Eastern Kentucky after spending his freshman season at Highland CC. A New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Native, Sullivan registered five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 12 games in 2025. Sullivan broke up three passes and forced two fumbles for the Colonels last year. Sullivan made a career-high 17 tackles, including nine solo tackles, at Southern Utah on Oct. 12, 2024. Sullivan is a three-star transfer listed at 6'2", 245lb.
Darrell Sweeting, DB, Marshall, Redshirt Junior
Sweeting played one season at Marshall, making 37 tackles, including a sack. Sweeting had one interception and broke up one pass for the Thundering Herd. Prior to Marshall, Sweeting played at Temple, where he played in four games in both 2023 and 2024, making two tackles for the Owls. Sweeting is 6'0", 182lb from North Palm Beach, Fla.
Guylijah Theodule, DB, Southern Miss, Junior
Theodule played in five games for the Golden Eagles in 2025, making three tackles and breaking up one pass while recovering a fumble. Prior to Southern Miss, Theodule played five games at Marshall, making one tackle as a true freshman. Theodule is from Miami, Fla., and is listed at 6'2", 175lb.
Jaylen Thompson, DB, Memphis, Redshirt Sophomore
Thompson did not see action at Memphis after transferring from Michigan State, where he spent his freshman season. In Lansing, Thompson played in six games, starting the final three in Big Ten play. Thomspon made 17 tackles and one pass breakup for the Spartans. Thompson is a three-star transfer listed at 6'2", 205lb, and is from Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Courage Ugo, DB, Utah State, Redshirt Senior
Ugo made four tackles in three games for Utah State in 2025, his second season with the Aggies. Before Utah State, Ugo played at Blinn JC in Texas for two years, playing in 18 games. Ugo made 20 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions as a junior at Blinn. Ugo is listed at 6'0", 195lb.
Mantrez Walker, LB, Colorado, Redshirt Freshman
Walker makes his return to the South after a year at Colorado, appearing in four games for the Buffaloes. Walker is a native of Buford, Ga. Where he helped lead Buford HS to a Georgia State semifinal appearance and a 12th-ranked finish nationally. Walker is a three-star transfer listed at 6'1", 230lb.
Diezel Wilkinson, DB, Montana, Junior
Wilkinson played a key role in Montana's run to the FCS Semifinal, making 78 tackles for the Griz in 15 games. Wilkinson made a season-high 11 tackles against Eastern Washington and a season-high 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks at Sacramento State. Before his season in Missoula, Wilkinson spent his freshman season at Idaho where he recorded 14 tackles in 12 games for the Vandals. Wilkinson is originally from Spokane, Wash., and is listed at 6'0", 193lb as a three-star transfer.
Kris Wokomah, DB, Baylor, Redshirt Sophomore
Wokomah played in five games for Baylor across two seasons, using his redshirt after just two games as a true freshman. Wokomah made two tackles in his first collegiate season, following it up with one tackle as a redshirt freshman in three games. A 6'0", 189lber, Wokomah is from Arlington, Texas.
Cooper Young, OL, West Virginia, Redshirt Junior
Young played in two games for the Mountaineers as a true freshman in 2023, playing against Duquesne and BYU. Young did not see action for West Virginia in 2024 or 2025. Listed at 6'5", 309lb, Young is from Downingtown, Pa.
All ratings and rankings courtesy of 247Sports.com.
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