The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Adds Five on Signing Day; Brings Class of 2018 to 16 Signees
2/7/2018 12:21:00β―PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB football head coach Bill Clark has announced the addition of five players who signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday to join the 11 from the early signing period, bringing the class of 2018 to 16 players.
Β
Wednesday's class of five are all defensive players and features four players from the state of Alabama, three from the greater Birmingham area and one from Florida. Along with the 11 players from December, the class consists of nine high schoolers, six junior college players and one transfer.
Β
"Having four of our five players sign from the state of Alabama today shows that they believe in the vision of UAB football," Clark said. "Including the December signees, this entire class will make immediate contributions to our team and we couldn't be more excited about the signing class of 2018."
Β
FEBRUARY SIGNEES: Β
Β
CD Daniels | Birmingham, Ala. | Homewood | CB | 6-3 | 180
Composite three-star prospect by 247Sportsβ¦Ranked the No. 69 cornerback in the nation, No. 26 player in Alabamaβ¦Named Alabama Sports Writers Association First Team All-Stateβ¦Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and impressed as a cornerback and safetyβ¦Helped lead Homewood to a 10-2 record (6-0 in the region) as a senior in 2017β¦Had 32 total tackles (27 solo) to go along with five interceptions and a sackβ¦Chose UAB over Georgia State, Memphis, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Eastern Kentucky, FAU, Jacksonville State, Mississippi State, Samford, South Alabama, Troy and Tulane.
Β
Xavier Lanier | Gordo, Ala. | Gordo | CB | 6-1 | 185
Rated the No. 90 player in the state of Alabamaβ¦Played on both sides of the ball for Gordo at CB and WRβ¦Ran a 4.35 second 40-yard dash at the Blue-Grey All-American Combine, the fastest time of the dayβ¦Started for a Gordo team that finished 10-2 in 2017 (6-0 in the region)β¦Committed to UAB over Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Troy and Samford.
Β
Adarius "Fish" McWilliams | Pensacola, Fla. | West Florida | DT | 6-1 | 284
Named Player of the Year in Pensacolaβ¦Rated the No. 34 player in the state of Florida and No. 305 in the nationβ¦Started for a West Florida team that finished 12-2 his senior seasonβ¦Played inside at DT and outside at DEβ¦Finished 2017 with 51 total tackles, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveriesβ¦Four-year varsity starterβ¦Chose UAB over Appalachian State, FAU, Florida A&M, Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane, Liberty and Samford.
Β
Jalen Rayam | Alabaster, Ala. | Thompson | OLB | 6-2 | 230
Three-star prospect according to 247Sportsβ¦No. 45 player in the state of Alabama and No. 90 linebacker in the countryβ¦Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Gameβ¦Key player on Thompson's 2017 team that finished 12-1β¦Had 143 total tackles (91 solo) with 28 TFL, 7.5 sacks, seven QB hurries and four interceptionsβ¦Chose UAB over UConn, FAU, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Kent State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Tulane, Western Carolina and Western Kentucky.
Β
Starling Thomas V | Birmingham, Ala. | Ramsay | CB | 6-0 | 180
Three-star prospect on 247Sportsβ¦No. 145 CB in the nation, No. 53 player in Alabamaβ¦ Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Gameβ¦Played CB and WR at Ramsay where he had a 99-yard receiving touchdown in 2017β¦Also returned kicks and puntsβ¦Finished the season with 24 tackles and one interceptionβ¦Committed to UAB over FAU, Georgia State, Arkansas State, Ball State, Memphis, Mercer, Middle Tennessee, Purdue, Southern Miss, Troy and Tulane.
Β
DECEMBER SIGNEES:
Β
Michael Fairbanks | Powder Springs, Ga. | McEachern | DE | 6'3 | 250
Three-star prospect by 247Sportsβ¦Three-time varsity letterwinnerβ¦Played weak-side defensive end in high schoolβ¦As a junior, recorded 56 tackles, 25 TFLs and 10 sacksβ¦Began starting as a sophomoreβ¦Posted a 4.09 GPA at McEachern...Committed to UAB over Air Force, Arkansas State, Army, Marshall and Southern Miss amongst others.Β
Β
Dylan Hopkins | Maryville, Tenn. | Maryville | QB | 6'2 | 200
Ranked the No. 57 quarterback in nation, No. 2 in Tennessee according to Max Prepsβ¦Composite three-star by 247Sportsβ¦No. 54 player in Tennesseeβ¦No. 2 dual-threat QB in Tennesseeβ¦Two-time 6A All-State QBβ¦As a junior, threw for 2,249 yards with 26 touchdownsβ¦Accounted for more than 3,000 yards as a sophomore starterβ¦Led team to a state title in 2017β¦Was the runner-up for Mr. Football in Tennessee...Chose UAB over Southern Miss, Temple and Tulane amongst others.
Β
Jaylen Key | Tallahassee, Fla. | Amos P. Godby | DE | 6'2 | 185
Played both defensive back and wide receiver in high schoolβ¦Rated the No. 51 player in the state of Floridaβ¦Helped his team to an 11-2 recordβ¦Picked UAB over South Alabama, Southern Miss and UCF.
Β
Antonio Moultrie | Pensacola, Fla. | NE Mississippi CC | West Florida | DE | 6-5 | 290
Rated the No. 61 player in Florida according to MaxPrepsβ¦Helped West Florida to a record of 9-3 as a senior in 2016β¦Attended Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2017β¦Had 19 total tackles and 4.0 TFL in eight games played.Β
Β
Deshaun Oliver | Birmingham, Ala. | Ramsay | DB| 6'3 | 185
During his senior season, played in nine games, recording 18 tackles, one sack and one interceptionβ¦As a junior, started on the state championship team and had 52 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight pass breakupsβ¦Anticipates a move to linebacker for the Green and Gold.
Β
Kendall Parham | Ellisville, Miss. | Jones County | Oak Grove | WR | 5'10 | 179
As a freshman for the Bobcats, hauled in a team-leading 25 receptions for 321 yardsβ¦Also scored two touchdownsβ¦Committed to UAB over Louisiana Lafayette, Troy and Youngstown State.
Β
Colby Ragland | Raymond, Miss. | Jones County | Raymond | OL | 6'6 | 295
Started at left tackle this past season at Jones County Junior College where he was named to the All-MACJC South Second Teamβ¦Began his career on the defensive side of the ball, playing on the defensive line...Committed to UAB over FAU, Louisiana Lafayette, Kansas, SMU, Southern Miss and Troy.
Β
Andrew Smith | Mt. Olive, Miss. | Prentiss | OL | 6'1 | 285
Named All-Region 23 and First Team All-MACJC Southβ¦As a sophomore, helped the Bobcat offense that averaged 41.4 points per game (2nd βMACJC, 7th β NJCAA) and 453.2 yards per game (3rd β MACJC, 7th β NJCAA).
Β
Jarrion Street | Trussville, Ala. | Ole Miss | Hewitt-Trussville | RB | 6'1 | 211
Played in six games as a freshman at Ole Miss with most of his action coming on special teamsβ¦Finished the season with three tackles, one of which was solo, against Woffordβ¦As a sophomore, recorded 10 total tackles on special teamsβ¦Consensus 3-star prospect out of high schoolβ¦No. 28 RB in the nation and second-best in Alabama by Rivals.comβ¦During his senior season for the Huskies, rushed for 1,400 yards and 16 TDs and hauled in 157 receiving yards and a TD en route to a 7A playoff appearanceβ¦Named All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and the USA Today.
Β
Austin Watkins | North Fort Myers, Fla. | Dodge City | Dunbar | WR | 6'3 | 200
Hauled in 24 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns in nine games played for the Conquistadorsβ¦As a freshman at Dodge City, he caught 38 passes for 376 yards and scored one touchdown...Chose UAB over Akron, Bowling Green, Marshall, Southern Miss and Youngstown State...Related to Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins.Β
Β
Carter Wood | Starkville, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast | OL | 6'5 | 275Β
Played in nine games for the Mississippi Gulf Coastβ¦Attended Starkville Academy where he won the MAIS Class AAA Division II state title as a junior, while making it to the second round of the playoffs as a seniorβ¦Participated in the 2015 MAIS All-Star Gameβ¦Named to MAIS 2015 Preseason All-Gridiron Team as well as a preseason top-five MAIS player (The Clarion-Ledger).
Β
Coming off their historic 2017 campaign, the Blazers begin spring practice on Tuesday, Feb. 27, which culminates with the annual Green and Gold Spring Game on April 7 at Legion Field.
Β
Season tickets for the 2018 slate are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.Β
Β
Wednesday's class of five are all defensive players and features four players from the state of Alabama, three from the greater Birmingham area and one from Florida. Along with the 11 players from December, the class consists of nine high schoolers, six junior college players and one transfer.
Β
"Having four of our five players sign from the state of Alabama today shows that they believe in the vision of UAB football," Clark said. "Including the December signees, this entire class will make immediate contributions to our team and we couldn't be more excited about the signing class of 2018."
Β
FEBRUARY SIGNEES: Β
Β
CD Daniels | Birmingham, Ala. | Homewood | CB | 6-3 | 180
Composite three-star prospect by 247Sportsβ¦Ranked the No. 69 cornerback in the nation, No. 26 player in Alabamaβ¦Named Alabama Sports Writers Association First Team All-Stateβ¦Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and impressed as a cornerback and safetyβ¦Helped lead Homewood to a 10-2 record (6-0 in the region) as a senior in 2017β¦Had 32 total tackles (27 solo) to go along with five interceptions and a sackβ¦Chose UAB over Georgia State, Memphis, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Eastern Kentucky, FAU, Jacksonville State, Mississippi State, Samford, South Alabama, Troy and Tulane.
Β
Xavier Lanier | Gordo, Ala. | Gordo | CB | 6-1 | 185
Rated the No. 90 player in the state of Alabamaβ¦Played on both sides of the ball for Gordo at CB and WRβ¦Ran a 4.35 second 40-yard dash at the Blue-Grey All-American Combine, the fastest time of the dayβ¦Started for a Gordo team that finished 10-2 in 2017 (6-0 in the region)β¦Committed to UAB over Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Troy and Samford.
Β
Adarius "Fish" McWilliams | Pensacola, Fla. | West Florida | DT | 6-1 | 284
Named Player of the Year in Pensacolaβ¦Rated the No. 34 player in the state of Florida and No. 305 in the nationβ¦Started for a West Florida team that finished 12-2 his senior seasonβ¦Played inside at DT and outside at DEβ¦Finished 2017 with 51 total tackles, nine sacks, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveriesβ¦Four-year varsity starterβ¦Chose UAB over Appalachian State, FAU, Florida A&M, Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane, Liberty and Samford.
Β
Jalen Rayam | Alabaster, Ala. | Thompson | OLB | 6-2 | 230
Three-star prospect according to 247Sportsβ¦No. 45 player in the state of Alabama and No. 90 linebacker in the countryβ¦Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Gameβ¦Key player on Thompson's 2017 team that finished 12-1β¦Had 143 total tackles (91 solo) with 28 TFL, 7.5 sacks, seven QB hurries and four interceptionsβ¦Chose UAB over UConn, FAU, Georgia State, Jacksonville State, Kent State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Tulane, Western Carolina and Western Kentucky.
Β
Starling Thomas V | Birmingham, Ala. | Ramsay | CB | 6-0 | 180
Three-star prospect on 247Sportsβ¦No. 145 CB in the nation, No. 53 player in Alabamaβ¦ Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Gameβ¦Played CB and WR at Ramsay where he had a 99-yard receiving touchdown in 2017β¦Also returned kicks and puntsβ¦Finished the season with 24 tackles and one interceptionβ¦Committed to UAB over FAU, Georgia State, Arkansas State, Ball State, Memphis, Mercer, Middle Tennessee, Purdue, Southern Miss, Troy and Tulane.
Β
DECEMBER SIGNEES:
Β
Michael Fairbanks | Powder Springs, Ga. | McEachern | DE | 6'3 | 250
Three-star prospect by 247Sportsβ¦Three-time varsity letterwinnerβ¦Played weak-side defensive end in high schoolβ¦As a junior, recorded 56 tackles, 25 TFLs and 10 sacksβ¦Began starting as a sophomoreβ¦Posted a 4.09 GPA at McEachern...Committed to UAB over Air Force, Arkansas State, Army, Marshall and Southern Miss amongst others.Β
Β
Dylan Hopkins | Maryville, Tenn. | Maryville | QB | 6'2 | 200
Ranked the No. 57 quarterback in nation, No. 2 in Tennessee according to Max Prepsβ¦Composite three-star by 247Sportsβ¦No. 54 player in Tennesseeβ¦No. 2 dual-threat QB in Tennesseeβ¦Two-time 6A All-State QBβ¦As a junior, threw for 2,249 yards with 26 touchdownsβ¦Accounted for more than 3,000 yards as a sophomore starterβ¦Led team to a state title in 2017β¦Was the runner-up for Mr. Football in Tennessee...Chose UAB over Southern Miss, Temple and Tulane amongst others.
Β
Jaylen Key | Tallahassee, Fla. | Amos P. Godby | DE | 6'2 | 185
Played both defensive back and wide receiver in high schoolβ¦Rated the No. 51 player in the state of Floridaβ¦Helped his team to an 11-2 recordβ¦Picked UAB over South Alabama, Southern Miss and UCF.
Β
Antonio Moultrie | Pensacola, Fla. | NE Mississippi CC | West Florida | DE | 6-5 | 290
Rated the No. 61 player in Florida according to MaxPrepsβ¦Helped West Florida to a record of 9-3 as a senior in 2016β¦Attended Northeast Mississippi Community College in 2017β¦Had 19 total tackles and 4.0 TFL in eight games played.Β
Β
Deshaun Oliver | Birmingham, Ala. | Ramsay | DB| 6'3 | 185
During his senior season, played in nine games, recording 18 tackles, one sack and one interceptionβ¦As a junior, started on the state championship team and had 52 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight pass breakupsβ¦Anticipates a move to linebacker for the Green and Gold.
Β
Kendall Parham | Ellisville, Miss. | Jones County | Oak Grove | WR | 5'10 | 179
As a freshman for the Bobcats, hauled in a team-leading 25 receptions for 321 yardsβ¦Also scored two touchdownsβ¦Committed to UAB over Louisiana Lafayette, Troy and Youngstown State.
Β
Colby Ragland | Raymond, Miss. | Jones County | Raymond | OL | 6'6 | 295
Started at left tackle this past season at Jones County Junior College where he was named to the All-MACJC South Second Teamβ¦Began his career on the defensive side of the ball, playing on the defensive line...Committed to UAB over FAU, Louisiana Lafayette, Kansas, SMU, Southern Miss and Troy.
Β
Andrew Smith | Mt. Olive, Miss. | Prentiss | OL | 6'1 | 285
Named All-Region 23 and First Team All-MACJC Southβ¦As a sophomore, helped the Bobcat offense that averaged 41.4 points per game (2nd βMACJC, 7th β NJCAA) and 453.2 yards per game (3rd β MACJC, 7th β NJCAA).
Β
Jarrion Street | Trussville, Ala. | Ole Miss | Hewitt-Trussville | RB | 6'1 | 211
Played in six games as a freshman at Ole Miss with most of his action coming on special teamsβ¦Finished the season with three tackles, one of which was solo, against Woffordβ¦As a sophomore, recorded 10 total tackles on special teamsβ¦Consensus 3-star prospect out of high schoolβ¦No. 28 RB in the nation and second-best in Alabama by Rivals.comβ¦During his senior season for the Huskies, rushed for 1,400 yards and 16 TDs and hauled in 157 receiving yards and a TD en route to a 7A playoff appearanceβ¦Named All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and the USA Today.
Β
Austin Watkins | North Fort Myers, Fla. | Dodge City | Dunbar | WR | 6'3 | 200
Hauled in 24 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns in nine games played for the Conquistadorsβ¦As a freshman at Dodge City, he caught 38 passes for 376 yards and scored one touchdown...Chose UAB over Akron, Bowling Green, Marshall, Southern Miss and Youngstown State...Related to Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins.Β
Β
Carter Wood | Starkville, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast | OL | 6'5 | 275Β
Played in nine games for the Mississippi Gulf Coastβ¦Attended Starkville Academy where he won the MAIS Class AAA Division II state title as a junior, while making it to the second round of the playoffs as a seniorβ¦Participated in the 2015 MAIS All-Star Gameβ¦Named to MAIS 2015 Preseason All-Gridiron Team as well as a preseason top-five MAIS player (The Clarion-Ledger).
Β
Coming off their historic 2017 campaign, the Blazers begin spring practice on Tuesday, Feb. 27, which culminates with the annual Green and Gold Spring Game on April 7 at Legion Field.
Β
Season tickets for the 2018 slate are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.Β
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
Monday, June 08
