Blazers welcome set to host signing day party at Iron City.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB head football coach Bill Clark announced the signing of 18 student-athletes to national letters of intent on Wednesday.
"It goes without saying that today is an exciting day for us," Clark said. "Coming off of a bigger-than-normal mid-year signing class, today is the day that everybody looks forward to. I think it is beyond just a big day for us. It is another signal as to where our program is headed."
UAB also signed 19 junior college prospects last December during the mid-year signing period.
"I want to thank our community, our alumni, our administration, our coaches and our players for us being where we are right now, and ultimately where we are headed," Clark added.
UAB returns to the gridiron Sept. 2, 2017, when the Blazers host Alabama A&M from Legion Field.
2016 Signees
Tyler JohnstonQB | 6-2 | 212 | FRESHMANSpanish Fort, Ala. | Spanish Fort HS
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A dual-threat quarterback hailing from Spanish Fort H.S. ... Was named Alabama's Mr. Football in 2015 ... Was 35-0 in his career as he led the Toros to two Class 6A titles ... The 6-foot-1, 193-pound quarterback garnered Al.com Coastal Alabama Player of the Year honors as well as the AL.com Player of the Year award for the state ... He completed 426 of 626 pass attempts for 8,338 yards and 83 touchdowns during his career ... Ran for 2,706 yards and 44 touchdowns on 359 carries ... Finished his with 11,044 total yards ... As a senior as he led the second-ranked Toros to a 14-0 record ... Completed 180 of 264 passes for 3,429 yards and 37 touchdowns ... Rushed for 671 yards and 12 touchdowns on 108 carries ...Prior to his first start at quarterback in 2013, Johnston also started at five other positions for the Toros ... He is the first UAB commitment to win Mr. Football since Cory Whisenant in 1999 ... Rated three-stars by 247Sports as the No. 17 player in Alabama ... Also had offers from Army, Navy, South Alabama, Southern Mississippi and ULM
Donnie LeeS | 6-2 | 215 | JUNIORLittle Rock, Ark. | Arkansas Baptist CC
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A 6-foot-2, 215-pound safety from Arkansas Baptist ... Also had interest from Arkansas.
A three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings ... Helped lead the Cougars to the Class 6A playoffs this year for the first time in 15 years ... Considered the No. 23 quarterback prospect in the South ... No. 2 ranked quarterback in the state of Alabama according to Scout ... Was the first high school commit for UAB in the 2016 class ... Chose UAB over Mississippi State ... Also had interest from Illinois and Louisville.
Raylon Richardson WR | 6-5 | 208 | FRESHMANMiller Grove, Ala. | Miller Grove HS
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Played wide receiver at Miller Grove HS ... Wolverines posted a 6-4 mark in 2015 during his senior campaign ... Also played basketball ... was named to the Chick-fil-A Invitational All-Tournament team after back-to-back games with 11 rebounds, including 19 points, 11 points and 3 blocks in the semifinal win ... In the 2015-16 season, he is averaging 9.2 points per contest through 10 games played
Malique Johnson OL | 6-3 | 315 | JUNIORFreeport, Ill. | Iowa Western CC
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Hails from Iowa Western CC ... Teammate Christian Robinson is also at UAB ... Ranked ninth in Illinois according to 247Sports ... Saw action in three games in 2014 when the Reivers were the NJCAA National Championship Runner-Up with an 11-1 record
Wide Receiver from Trinity Valley Community College... Played 10 games for the Cardinals in 2015... His 13 touchdowns ranked third in the NJCAA... Caught 49 passes for 853 yards... Averaged 85.3 yards per game... Named Southwest Junior College Football Conference Offensive All-Conference Second Team.
Michael WrightDE | 6-4 | 250 | JUNIORHouston, Texas | Blinn CC
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Spent the last two seasons as a defensive end at Blinn Community College in Texas ... Played in eight games in 2015 and recorded three solo tackles and assisted on six others ... Tallied one sack and two tackles for loss ... Forced one fumble and broke up one pass ... Played in all eight games as a freshman in 2014 and had seven tackles ... Chose UAB over interest from Cincinnati, Fresno State, Iowa State and Northwestern State.
Hails from Lafayette HS in Oxford, Miss. ... Named to the 2015 Preseason All-Gridiron Second Team ... As a senior, Lafayette went 10-3 as it ranked No. 20 in the state ... The Commodores gave up 27.0 sacks on the year, while the offensive unit averaged 318.1 all-purpose yards per game ... Had offers from Southern Miss, Central Arkansas and Troy per his 247Sports profile page
Xavier UbosiWR | 6-4 | 200 | JUNIORWoodland Hills, Calif. | LA Pierce
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Caught five receptions for 150 yards and two scores in the Brahmas' 30-10 win over College of the Desert .... Totaled 31 receptions in seven outings for the Bulls ... Reeled in nine touchdowns .... Averaged 94.0 yards receiving per contest ... In high school, totaled 475-yards receiving on 29 catches at Reseda HS ... Chose the Blazers over Louisville, Western Michigan, Arkansas State, Southern Miss and UMass.
Rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports ... Had eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack last season against Fort Scott ... Also drew interest from Louisville and Minnesota.
Hails from Chaffey Colley in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. ... Saw action in 11 games his sophomore year ... Had 59 receptions for 782 yards ... Averaged 71.1 yards per contest ... Reeled in 14 touchdowns, the fifth-most in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCAA) ... At Chafey, Wimberly caught 108 passes totaling 1,441 yards with 17 touchdown receptions ... Verbally committed to UNLV, was sought after by Boise State and Arizona State and had offers from North Texas, Idaho, South Alabama and others
Chris WoolbrightLB| 6-3 | 230 | JUNIORBrooklyn, N.Y. | Fresno City College
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Played outside linebacker at Fresno City College from 2014-15 ... Registered 44 tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss and one fumble recovery ... Had two interceptions, two pass breakups and scored one touchdown for the Rams... Chose UAB over offers from Idaho, Texas State and Wyoming.
Tarik BallardTE| 6-5 | 265 | JUNIORSan Jose, Calif. | Feather River (Calif.) CC
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Saw action in 10 games as a redshirt sophomore at Feather River CC ... Caught six passes for 62 yards ... Reeled in a career-best five receptions for 49 yards against DVC, including a career-long 31-yard haul ... Also played for De Anza as a freshman in 2013 ... Played in nine games for the Dons ... Had 22 receptions for 210 yards while tallying four touchdowns
Anthony "AJ" Brooks Jr.RB | 6-0 | 200 | JUNIORModesto, Calif. | Gavilan College
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Running back from Gavilan College in Gilroy, Calif.
Ronnie TurnerWR | 6-4 | 187 | JUNIORSalinas, Calif. | Hartnell College
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Three-star receiver from Hartnell College... Played in seven games with the Panthers, totaling 755 yards of offense... Caught 49 passes and scored 10 touchdowns... Averaged 109.9 yards per game... Also received offers from Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Colorado, Middle Tennessee and Georgia State.
A three-star recruit by 247Sports ... Had 95 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in two seasons with the Blue Devils ... Chose UAB over Louisville.
DJ LawS | 5-11 | 190 | JUNIORHaines City, Fla. | East Mississippi CC
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A three-star recruit by 247Sports ... Had 95 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in two seasons with the Blue Devils ... Chose UAB over Louisville.
All-purpose running back hailing from Birmingham ... named to the All-City Football Team by the Birmingham Athletic Partnership ... Totaled 101 carries during his career ... Rushed for 1,019 yards, averaging 10.1 yards per carry ... As a sophomore, toted the ball 11.7 yards per rush on his way to four touchdowns ... As a junior he notched seven touchdowns ... Rushed for 564 yards ... Rushed for a career-best 156 yards twice in his career ... Had offers from Mississippi State, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Army, Georgia Southern, Memphis, South Alabama, Southern Miss., Troy and Western Kentucky
Played junior and senior years at Chattahoochee High School after moving to Alpharetta, Ga. from Charlotte, N.C. ... coached by Mike Owens as a senior at Chattahoochee ... earned first-team All-Region 6-AAAAAA Region honors as a senior ... was a honorable mention Class AAAAAA all-state selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... also tabbed honorable mention all-state by Georgia Sportswriters Association ... totaled 981 yards receiving in his senior season at Chattahoochee HS ... listed as a Top 75 prospect in State of Georgia by Atlanta Journal-Constitution ... picked up the MVP award at the Atlanta MVP camp and Raw Talent Sports showcase ... named Offensive MVP of the Adidas Invitational ... was named to the 2012 Class AAAAAA all-conference team and was also tabbed for all-region honors ... helped team to berth in state playoffs as a junior ... finished with 13 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards as a junior at Chattahoochee ... as a freshman and sophomore, was named to the Union County NC First Team All-Conference (2010, 2011) and the Union County NC First Team All-County (2011).
Justin Brown
OL | 6-3 | 295
Hampton, Ga. (Lovejoy HS)
Offensive Lineman Played for head coach Al Hughes at Lovejoy HS in Lovejoy, Ga. ... rated a three-star prospect according to 247sports.com and ESPN.com ... given a scout grade of 74 according to ESPN, and ranked as the No. 65 player in the country at his position ... named to the 2013 Georgia Sportswriters Association All-State Class 6A Honorable Mention Team ... was an anchor for Lovejoy running back Travis Curtis who rushed for more than 4,000 yards in two seasons ... helped Lovejoy to two runner-up finishes in the state playoffs and four region championships.
Joseph Roberts
DL | 6-3 | 215
Trussville, Ala. (Hewitt-Trussville HS)
Played at nearby Hewitt-Trussville High School ... as a senior, Roberts totaled 76 tackles which ranked fifth on the team ... added nine tackles for loss ... tied for team lead in sacks with three ... contributed three pass breakups.
Played last two seasons at Georgia Military College ... prepped at Crestwood High School in Sumter, S.C., where he played for head coach Keith Crolley ... totaled 48 tackles in 11 games last year at Georgia Military College ... had two sacks last season ... led Crestwood high school in tackles his senior season with 123 total tackles, including 23 for loss ... had five quarterback sacks in his senior season ... played primarily at the outside linebacker spot, but also plays middle linebacker... participated in the South Carolina North-South All-Star Game his senior season.
Named to the All-Broward First Team following his senior season ... rushed for 1,053 yards and 15 touchdowns on 139 carries as a senior ... also named to the 2013 Class 8A Football All-State Team as an honorable mention selection ... helped his team to an 11-1 record and No. 19 national ranking as a senior at Deerfield Beach HS ... runs a 4.45 40-yard dash.
Bobby Baker
DB | 6-3 | 195
Sherman Oaks, Calif. (Pierce College)
Played under head coachEfrain Martinez at Pierce College...2013 Southern California FootballAssociation All-American Division Second Team honoree...registered 39 tackles during his sophomore year...led his team to the 2013 American Division title...clinched the division championship with a victory against Glendale College, in which he returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown...played high school football at Taft HS under Jarrud Prosser and Steve Sprague...averaged 2.4 tackles per game as a high school junior.
Three-star prospect according to 247sports.com and Scout.com...ranked the No. 131 wide receiver in the nation according to Scout.com...was ranked the No. 188 wide receiver in the country according to 247sports.com...played under head coach Jep Irwin at Lassiter HS...participated in the Cobb County All-Star Senior Bowl...led Lassiter HS to a 7-4 record and its second consecutive Georgia Class AAAAAA Region 5 title in his final season...registered 45 receptions for 778 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2013...hauled in three receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns against Milton...also ran track and field, placing first in the Georgia Class AAAAAA Region 5 200-meter dash and second in the 100-meter dash as a junior.
Ryan Krum
OL | 6-5 | 325
El Cajon, Calif. (Grossmont College)
Played two seasons under head coach Mike Jordan at Grossmont College...2013 All-Southern California Football Association Second Team honoree...helped pave the way for Treyous Jarrells, who rushed for 1,139 yards, in 2013...led his team to a 10-11 record in his two seasons at Grossmont...played high school football at Valhalla HS under Charles Bussey and Steve Sutton...participated in the 2012 PrepStar California Classic All-Star Game.
Was team's leading tackler in 2013 with 49 stops, including 23 solo tackles ... recorded three tackles for loss (-10 yards) and one sack (-8 yards) ... attended Melrose High School in Memphis ... has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining.
Carson Miller
OL | 6-4 | 300
Poplarville, Miss. (Pearl River CC)
Anchored Pearl River offensive line in 2013 ... selected to play in MACJC All-Star Game ... earned second-team all-state honors by Jackson Clarion-Ledger as a senior at West Point High School ... will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Kalen Jackson
DB | 6-1 | 205
Magee, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln CC)
As a sophomore at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, he ranked sixth on the team in tackles with 43 stops, including 27 solo hits ... earned a trip to the MACJC All-Star Game last season ... named MACJC First-Team All-State at Copiah-Lincoln Community College ... recorded a pair of interceptions and 15 pass breakups ... attended Magee High School in Magee,Miss., where he also played baseball and basketball ... he rushed for 1,039 yards and totaled 17 touchdowns in his senior season at Magee High School.
Will have two years of eligibility remaining after signing with the Blazers ... attended Baldwyn High School prior to going to Northeast Mississippi CC ... played under head coach Ricky Smither at Northeast Mississippi CC ... saw action in six games in 2013 and registered 22 tackles with a pair of sacks and three tackles for loss ... a former first-team all-state high school defensive tackle at Baldwyn High ... listed as one of state's top 10 defensive tackles by Mississippi Gridiron.
Began collegiate career at Washington State but transferred to Cerritos (Calif.) College where he played in 2013 ... will have two years of eligibility remaining ... passed for 1,953 yards and 16 touchdowns last season as he completed 144-of-247 ... led team to 64-33 victory over Grossmont in Western State Bowl to cap off the season ... passed for 243 yards and four touchdowns vs. Grossmont ... best passing performance was 288 yards ... as a prep performer at La Habra High School, he helped his team win four straight CIFChampionships ... passed for 2,067 yards and 32 touchdowns with just one interception as a prep senior after accounting for 2,150 passing yards and 29 touchdowns his junior year.
Deontae Crumitie
OL | 6-3 | 270
Lake City, Fla. (Columbia HS)
One of the top lineman prospects in North Florida ... tabbed a Class 6A first-team all-state offensive lineman by the Associated Press ... earned a spot on the Florida team in the Florida-Georgia War of the Border All-Star Game, which pits the Top 60 seniors from South Georgia vs. the Top 60 seniors from North Florida ... three-year letterman ... named third-team All-First Coast for Florida by The Times-Union in Jacksonville ... listed as a first-team offensive lineman on the All-North Central Team by FloridaHSFootball.com ... had 50 pancake blocks as a senior.
Daniel Anousheh
OL | 6-4 | 270
Lancaster, Calif. (Antelope Valley College)
Played two seasons at Antelope Valley College under head coach Perry Jehlica ... named to the All-California Region V First Team in 2013 ... helped Antelope Valley HS to an 11-9 record during his two seasons there ... played high school football at Quartz Hill HS ... also wrestled at Quartz Hill HS.
Rolan Milligan
DB | 5-11 | 185
Lake City, Fla. (Reedley College)
Played for head coach Randy Whited at Reedley College ... played in nine games during the 2013 season ... finished with 44 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries ... attended Lake Wales High School where he also played quarterback as a senior ... earned 5A All-State Honorable Mention in his senior year.
Desman Carter
S | 6-2 | 205
Pomona, Calif. (Riverside City College)
Spent one season at Riverside City College in Riverside, Calif. ... rated a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com ... finished the 2013 season with 39 total tackles and 2.5 for loss ... scored one defensive touchdown on an 87-yard interception return ... forced one fumble, picked up two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups for the Tigers as a sophomore ... helped RCC to the Southern California Football Association Championship in 2013 ... started his career at Nevada and spent one season with the Wolfpack.
Kelepi Folau
OL | 6-3 | 305
Concord, Calif. (Diablo Valley Community College)
Played the last two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College in Pleasant Hill, Calif. ...prepped for head coach Todd Bauleke at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, Calif. ... a two-star prospect according to Rivals.com and Scout.com ... has played both offensive guard and defensive tackle ... was a two-time First-Team All-Conference selection in high school ... was on the wrestling team and played baseball in high school.
Demarco Davis
DB | 5-11 | 172
Atlanta, Ga. (Booker T. Washington (Ga.) HS)
Played for head coach Rodney Hackney at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Ga. ... captain of the Bulldogs' football team in his senior season ... recorded a 4.4 second 40-yard dash and has a 33" vertical leap ... a versatile player who played cornerback, quarterback and wide receiver at Booker T. Washington.
Darvell Harris
DB | 6-2 | 180
Chicago, Ill. (Dodge City Community College)
Attended Dodge City Community College where he played for two years under head coach Gary Thomas âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ helped his team to a 6-4 finish in 2013 âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ appeared in 10 games and recorded 21 tackles on the season âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ was named one of the Players to Watch by The Garden City Telegram before the 2013 season âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ also competed in track and field at Dodge City CC.
Kelvin Shelton
OL | 6-4 | 270
Moreno Valley, Calif. (Mt. San Jacinto College)
Attended junior college at Mt. San Jacinto College ... appeared in two games in the 2013-14 season and had two tackles as a defensive lineman ... played four years at Rancho Verde High School ... helped his team to a 14-0 season as a senior ... rated the No. 31 offensive lineman in California coming out of high school.
Was the Georgia Class AAAAAA Region 6 passing leader with 2,097 yards passing last season âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ also threw 18 touchdowns at Chattahoochee High School âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ earned second-team all-region 6-AAAAAA honors for the Cougars âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ coached by Mike Owens as a senior at Chattahoochee âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ started his high school career at Sierra Vista High School in Las Vegas âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ rated a two-star prospect according to 247sports.com and Rivals.com âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ teammates with fellow UAB commit wide receiver Collin Lisa âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ a three-sport star who played both basketball and baseball in addition to football in high school âÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ?¦ earned the Quarterback MVP and Leadership Award at the National Underclassmen Combine Football Camp.
An outstanding, rangy prospect from Central High School in Clay County � played on both sides of the ball at Central but expected to play wide receiver at UAB � was named a Class 4A first-team all-state selection by Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) � listed as No. 47 prospect in Alabama by Rivals � named to Anniston Star All-Area squad � registered 574 receiving yards and three touchdowns � on the defensive side, he recorded 41 tackles and four interceptions � played for Clay County High School up until senior year when Clay merged with Lineville into one school.
2016 Signees
Where they're coming from:
