The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
11/11/2026 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Head Baseball Coach Casey Dunn has announced the addition of 10 new players to the 2027 Signing Day class. The class features six prep players and four players from the junior college ranks. Four players hail from the state of Georgia, while two players each are from Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Additionally, five of the 10 signees attended a Casey Dunn Baseball Camp at UAB during their respective high school careers.
PREP PLAYERS
Austin Barnett - Alabaster, AL / Thompson HS / 6-1 / 205 lbs. / OF
Scouting report: A left-handed hitter that projects real power. Local product out of Thompson High School. He can play first base or corner outfield and brings a good left-handed bat into our program. High school teammates with current Blazer Ashton Blair.
Omari Burse - Pooler, GA / Benedictine Military School / 6-1 / 175 lbs. / INF
Scouting report: 6.6 runner that plays shortstop for his high school that has several Division I commitments. An athletic infielder that has the arm strength to stay on the left side of the field. He is also athletic enough to play in the middle of the infield or potentially in the outfield if needed. Played for a quality CBU summer ball team. Also plays quarterback Benedictine Military's football team.
Blake Davis - Apopka, FL / TNXL Academy / 5-10 / 170 lbs. / OF
Scouting report: Very athletic center fielder with plus speed. His athleticism should play well in UAB's offensive system. 6.5 runner. Played with a quality FTB Phillies team in summer ball and competed at a high level through summer baseball. TNXL Academy has a history of producing Division I talent and MLB draft picks.
Luciano Grasso - Boca Raton, FL / West Boca Raton HS / 6-2 / 180 lbs. / RHP
Scouting report: He is the only HS pitcher in this class. Low release with a fastball up to 92 mph. Has a projectible arm with good fastball metrics. Has the ability to induce a lot of ground balls and get uncomfortable swings.
Jackson Loy - Rome, GA / Darlington HS / 6-3 / 215 lbs / Catcher
Scouting report: Switch-hitting catcher. Played for a quality 6-4-3 DP Cougars club in the summer. Great student. Has had workouts with pro organizations. He has a strong hit tool with power potential that has him on scouts' radar for this year's draft.
Cohen Walker - Vestavia Hills, AL / Vestavia Hills HS / 6-1 / 190 lbs. / OF
Scouting report: Local product out of Vestavia Hills High School. 6.4 runner that can move around the infield and outfield. Really came on last year in the high school season and followed that up with a strong summer. Walker has plus speed and can play both infield and outfield, bringing versatility to the program. Former football player, really good athlete.
JUNIOR COLLEGE PLAYERS
South McCoy - Tupelo, MS / Tupelo HS / NW Mississippi CC / 6-0 / 190 lbs. / OF/RHP
Scouting report: Had a great freshman year at NW Mississippi CC. Power hitter and closer for the Rangers. Has the ability to hit in the middle of the order. The Blazers will count on him to supply some power in our lineup next year. A big sign for the program.
Barrett McKenney - Magee, MS / Simpson Academy / NW Mississippi CC / 6-0 / 210 lbs. / INF
Scouting report: Is tough, competitive, and a winner. Very "hitterish" swing that will hit a lot of extra base hits for UAB. Put up good numbers last season for NWMCC. Can play any of the three infield spots for the Blazers.
Matthew Perkins - Acworth, GA / Allatoona HS / Georgia Highlands College / 5-9 / 185 lbs. / RHP
Scouting report: Perkins is a strike thrower out of Georgia Highlands and can spin a breaking ball. He will be there #1 this spring and is coming off a year where he dominated the strike zone. A true 3-pitch guy that will come in with a lot of starting experience. Had a great first season at Georgia Highlands and played with current Blazer Kent Collier.
Max Willhide - Warner Robins, GA / Houston County HS / Chattahoochee Valley CC / 6-2 / 175 lbs. / RHP
Scouting report: A proven starter at the JUCO level. Hard thrower that has a fresh arm. Did not pitch until his senior year of high school. He will again be the #1 starter at CVCC and should bring starting experience with him next fall.
