BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB head football coach Garrick McGee announced the 2013 Blazer recruiting class Wednesday at an afternoon press conference.
McGee announced the signing of 23 student-athletes who will join the UAB program for the 2013 season. Two of them have already enrolled at UAB QB Jeremiah Briscoe and WR DeVante Scott.
The recruiting class features the following breakdown by positions: Defensive Backs 7; Wide Receivers 5; Linebackers 4; Defensive Line 2; Offensive Line 2; Quarterback 1; Running Back 1; and Tight End 1.
The class features a strong flavor of homegrown talent with 12 players from the state of Alabama.
2013 Signees
2013 UAB Signees 
Press Conference Quotes
| Signee | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown | (Previous School) |
| ** Jeremiah Briscoe | QB | 6-4 | 215 | Houston, Texas | (Stratford HS) |
| ** DeVante Scott | WR | 5-10 | 180 | Ferriday, La. | (Copiah-Lincoln CC) |
| Ervin Alston | LB | 6-2 | 215 | Jacksonville, Fla. | (Fleming Island HS) |
| James Caligone | CB | 6-0 | 190 | Tulsa, Okla. | (Booker T. Washington HS) |
| Jalen Coleman | LB | 6-3 | 210 | Daphne, Ala. | (Daphne HS) |
| Kingsley Ejike | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Covington, Ga. | (Newton HS) |
| Brandon Fuller | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Birmingham, Ala. | (Clay-Chalkville HS) |
| J.J. Green | WR | 6-2 | 180 | Florence, Ala. | (Florence HS) |
| Tristan Henderson | TE | 6-4 | 265 | Los Alamitos, Calif. | (Cerritos College) |
| Jordan Howard | RB | 6-1 | 228 | Gardendale, Ala. | (Gardendale HS) |
| Maudrecus Humphrey | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Hoover, Ala. | (Univ. of Arkansas) |
| Vincent Hunter | OL | 6-4 | 295 | Memphis, Tenn. | (Whitehaven HS) |
| Je'Niah Jackson | LB | 6-1 | 200 | Hoover, Ala. | (Spain Park HS) |
| Nicolas Jackson | SAF | 6-2 | 205 | Birmingham, Ala. | (Wenonah HS) |
| Jimmy Jean | CB | 6-3 | 180 | Pompano Beach, Fla. | (Arkansas Baptist) |
| Tajh Lowe | SAF | 5-11 | 180 | Tulsa, Okla. | (Booker T. Washington HS) |
| Greg Maclin | SAF | 6-3 | 185 | Tanner, Ala. | (Tanner HS) |
| T.J. McCollum | SAF | 6-3 | 205 | Birmingham, Ala. | (Clay-Chalkville HS) |
| Rodney Morris | WR | 6-3 | 215 | Alpharetta, Ga. | (Alpharetta HS) |
| Jordan Petty | CB | 5-10 | 180 | Florence, Ala. | (Florence HS) |
| Zach Sims | OL | 6-2 | 290 | Homewood, Ala. | (Homewood HS) |
| Andra Smith | DT | 6-4 | 305 | Memphis, Tenn. | (Whitehaven HS) |
| Jamari Staples | WR | 6-4 | 190 | Lineville, Ala. | (Central HS) |
** Enrolled at UAB in January, 2013
JEREMIAH BRISCOE
QB | 6-4 | 215
HOUSTON, TX (STRATFORD HS)
Enrolled at UAB for spring semester in January, 2013 ? as a high school senior at Stratford in 2011, Briscoe passed for 1,863 yards with 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions ? Stratford is the same high school attended by Indianapolis Colts' QB Andrew Luck ? Briscoe was nation's No. 18 prep quarterback prospect in December 2011 by ESPNU ? transferred to Stratford for his senior season after starting high school career at Second Baptist School ? as a junior at Second Baptist, Briscoe passed for 2,358 yards and 23 touchdowns ? he played receiver his sophomore season and caught 51 passes for 792 yards and four touchdowns ? also plans to play baseball at UAB but will not be eligible to compete in baseball until 2014 season since he was not enrolled this past fall.
DEVANTE SCOTT
WR | 5-10 | 180
FERRIDAY, LA. (COPIAH-LINCOLN CC)
Enrolled at UAB in January, 2013 after spending two years at Copiah-Lincoln (Miss.) CC ? sophomore season at CoLin was shortened due to injury ? registered 14 receptions for 113 yards and three touchdowns ? had nine kickoff returns for 173 yards with eight punt returns for 49 yards ? as a freshman in 2011, he had 19 receptions for 386 yards with three touchdowns ? also had five rushes for 15 yards ? posted 182 kickoff return yards and 114 punt return yards ? attended Ferriday (La.) High School ? ran for 1,146 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2010 and recorded 71 tackles and two interceptions ? named Parish Player of the Year ? also tabbed first-team all-district as a running back and a returner ? named as the district's offensive MVP ? was named second-team all-district as a linebacker ? named 2A All-State Honorable Mention ? also had outstanding junior year and was named 2A first-team All-State by the Louisiana Coaches' Association ? named honorable mention all-state for Louisiana's 2A classification by the Louisiana Sports Writers' Association ? named to the Natchez Democrat's All-Area team ? tabbed LHSAA First Team All District for District 2-2A as an Athlete, kick returner and defensive back ? as a junior he accounted for 2,287 all-purpose yards and 21 total touchdowns ? recorded 830 yards and five touchdowns on 26 kick returns ? rushed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns on 93 carries ? had 42 pass receptions for 783 yards and nine touchdowns ? totaled 79 tackles, 12 pass break ups and five interceptions from his defensive back position.
ERVIN ALSTON
LB | 6-2 | 215
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (FLEMING ISLAND HS)
Played both linebacker and fullback at Fleming Island High School ? was named second-team Class 8A-7A All-State by Sun-Sentinel ? team went 14-1 in his sophomore season and finished ranked No. 14 in the FHSAA Class 7A standings ? a first-team All-First Coast selection in his senior season ? totaled 87 tackles, including seven tackles for loss in 2012 ? a two-star recruit according to Rivals.com and 247sports.com ? finished fourth in both the broad jump (9'8") and vertical jump (37") in the Flavarsity.com/Red Zone Florida Skills Combine Challenge.
JAMES CALIGONE
CB | 6-0 | 190
TULSA, OKLA (BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HS)
Three-year starter for head coach Marvin Dantzler at Booker T. Washington High School ? played mostly cornerback but also saw time at free safety, running back and quarterback ? recorded 34 tackles and led the team with five interceptions in 2012 ? listed as No. 25 prospect in Oklahoma by The Oklahoman heading into senior year ? played one game at quarterback, scoring on an 86-yard rushing play ? had 12 rushes on the year and averaged 7.5 yards per carry ? the team's leader in kickoff returns, averaging 9.0 yards per return ? All-Oklahoma Honorable Mention selection in his senior season ? a starter for the 2010 Class 5A Oklahoma State Champions in his sophomore season ? was on the track and field team and was a state qualifier in the 4X100 meters relay ? ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash and boasts a 32" vertical leap ? member of Booker T. Washington's strength club.
JALAN COLEMAN
LB | 6-3 | 201
DAPHNE, ALA. (DAPHNE HS)
Starting outside linebacker for head coach Glenn Vickery ? team finished 8-4 and 6-1 in league play during senior season and ranked 13th in the state ? named a Baldwin All-County selection this past season ? totaled 131 tackles, featuring 83 solo stops, 10 pass break ups, eight tackles for loss and four-and-a-half sacks as a senior ? was twice named team defensive player of the week this past season ? Trojans finished a perfect 15-0 his sophomore season en route to claiming the Class 6A State Championship.
KINGSLEY EJIKE
DE | 6-3 | 230
COVINGTON, GA. (NEWTON HS)
A first-team Region 2-AAAAA selection by the region's head coaches as a senior at Newton High School ? led team in tackles with 87 and also had 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two fumble recoveries and and one forced fumble as a senior ? recorded three sacks in games vs. Druid Hills, Rockdale and Morrow ? recorded season-high 17 tackles against state power Valdosta ? helped lead Newton to state AAAAA playoff appearance ? as a junior, Ejike registered 79 tackles with 57 solo hits ? also contributed 9.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal ? had season-high 11 tackles against Eastside with a sack.
BRANDON FULLER
LB | 6-1 | 220
BIRMINGHAM, ALA (CLAY-CHALKVILLE HS)
A first-team Region 2-AAAAA selection by the region's head coaches as a senior at Newton High School ? led team in tackles with 87 and also had 21.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two fumble recoveries and and one forced fumble as a senior ? recorded three sacks in games vs. Druid Hills, Rockdale and Morrow ? recorded season-high 17 tackles against state power Valdosta ? helped lead Newton to state AAAAA playoff appearance ? as a junior, Ejike registered 79 tackles with 57 solo hits ? also contributed 9.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal ? had season-high 11 tackles against Eastside with a sack.
J.J. GREEN
WR | 6-2 | 180
FLORENCE, ALA (FLORENCE HS)
A standout receiver prospect from north Alabama, Green was named a Class 6A honorable mention all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) following his senior season ? caught 34 passes for 409 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ? an all-area selection by Florence Times-Daily ? coached by Jamey DuBose at Florence in 2012 ? as a junior, he caught 52 passes with nine touchdowns ? also is member of Florence basketball team and track squad.
TRISTAN HENDERSON
TE | 6-4 | 265
LOS ALAMITOS, CALIF. (CERRITOS COLLEGE)
Will have two years remaining at UAB after transferring from Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. ? caught 11 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown in 2012 for the Falcons ? fourth-leading receiver (in receptions) for team in 2012 ? had long reception of 21 yards ? also caught two-point conversion ? coached by Frank Mazzotta at Cerritos ? listed by 247Sports as one of Top 25 junior college tight ends for 2013 ? played in two games in 2011 and registered one reception (a touchdown vs. Long Beach City College) for 14 yards ? Cerritos won 2011 Central Conference championship.
JORDAN HOWARD
RB | 6-1 | 228
GARDENDALE, ALA. (GARDENDALE HS)
A three-year starter at running back for coach Chris Fancher ? rushed a team-best 138.6 yards per game ? was tabbed Birmingham News North/East Player of the Year after rushing for 1,388 yards and 21 touchdowns in 10 games ? finished his senior season with six multi-touchdown games ? the Rockets finished with a 7-4 record and a trip to the Class 6A playoffs ? amassed 2,876 yards on 380 carries in his two varsity seasons ? named a Class 6A all-state honorable mention selection by Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) in 2011.
MAUDRECUS HUMPHREY
WR | 6-3 | 185
HOOVER, ALA. (UNIV. OF ARKANSAS)
Former player at the University of Arkansas, Humphrey attended Hoover High School south of Birmingham ? will have two years of eligibility remaining ? at Arkansas, Humphrey appeared in 13 games during his career there and returned six kickoffs for a total of 111 yards ? saw action all 13 games in 2010, primarily on special teams ? returned three kickoffs for 49 yards in Arkansas' 31-24 win at Georgia ? the next week, he returned three kickoffs for a total of 62 yards vs. Alabama ? made one tackle on kickoff coverage at Auburn ? recovered one fumble vs. LSU ? had outstanding prep career at Hoover HS ? was standout wide receiver who helped lead Hoover to 15-1 record and the Class 6A state championship as a senior under coach Josh Niblett ? was listed as the No. 85 wide receiver nationally by Rivals.com and No. 34 in the state of Alabama ? was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game for his efforts during his final year ? in 2009, he had 67 receptions for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns ? was an honorable mention all-state selection by the ASWA as a junior when he caught 47 passes for 808 yards and scored 10 touchdowns ? had a 17.2 yard average per catch and a long of 82 yards for the Buccaneers, who finished as the Class 6A state runner-up in 2008. Humphrey also competed on the track team ? his father, Bobby Humphrey, was star running back at Alabama and later in the NFL.
VINCENT HUNTER
OL | 6-4 | 295
MEMPHIS, TENN. (WHITEHAVEN HS)
A three-star prospect according to ESPN.com and 247sports.com ? ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect in the state of Tennessee and the No. 52-ranked offensive guard in the country according to ESPN.com ? was an All-District 16 AAA performer in each of his last two years at Whitehaven High School ? an All-Shelby Metro performer in his junior and senior seasons ? an all-state performer in the state of Tennessee in 6A football as a senior? voted team captain and Most Valuable Player for the 2012 squad that won the Class 6A TSSAA State Championship ? teams went a combined 29-1 in his last two seasons at Whitehaven High School ? won the scholar-athlete award for the highest GPA on his high school team.
JE'NIAH JACKSON
LB | 6-1 | 200
HOOVER, ALA. (SPAIN PARK HS)
Played under head coach Chip Lindsey at Spain Park High School ? led team in tackles his junior and senior seasons ? had 67 solo tackles and 39 assists for a total of 106 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions his senior season ... recorded 91 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, and three interceptions as a junior in 2011 ? picked up 95 tackles his sophomore season ? honorable mention all-state linebacker ... named All-County his junior and senior seasons by the Shelby County Reporter ? named first-team all-over the mountain by the Over The Mountain Journal his junior and senior seasons ? helped lead his team to a 10-4 record and their first Class 6A Region 4 Championship as a senior in 2012.
NICK JACKSON
SAF | 6-2 | 205
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. (WENONAH HS)
A versatile player who excelled on both sides of the ball for Wenonah ? rushed for 454 yards and recorded 246 receiving yards with 10 total touchdowns ? also recorded 38 tackles on defense with 11 sacks ? also had 11 all-purpose touchdowns as senior ? named to Birmingham News All-West Team ? had 12 tackles with five sacks and three tackles for loss vs. Huffman ? named honorable mention Class 5A all-state after senior season ? same high school as former UAB all-conference quarterback and current Minnesota Viking Joe Webb.
JIMMY JEAN
CB | 6-3 | 180
POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (ARKANSAS BAPTIST)
Will have two years of eligibility remaining after attending Arkansas Baptist ? named as Arkansas Baptist's 2012 College Player of the Year by the Little Rock Touchdown Club (LR TD Club presents Player of the Year Award to each of the 11 state colleges) ? recorded 54 tackles during season (41 solo hits and 13 assists) ? also registered one sack, three interceptions (59 yards), three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble as a sophomore ? coached at Arkansas Baptist by Richard Wilson ? during his freshman season at Arkansas Baptist in 2011, Jean had 25 tackles in five games ? also registered a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown ... had a fumble return for 48 yards and a forced fumble as a junior ? attended Blanche Ely High School
TAHJ LOWE
SAF | 5-11 | 180
TULSA, OKLA. (BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HS)
A three-year letter winner under head coach Marvin Dantzler at Booker T. Washington High School ? two-star prospect according to 247sports.com ? recorded 35 tackles and recovered three fumbles in his senior season ? helped his team to a class 5A state championship in his sophomore campaign ? team made it to the first round of the playoffs as one of the smallest 6A schools in the state of Oklahoma in his senior season ? member of his high school's strength club ? boasts a 33" vertical leap ? a junior instructor for Tae Kwon Do and a member of the National Honor Society.
GREG MACLIN
SAF | 6-3 | 185
TANNER, ALA. (TANNER HS)
Starting defensive back helped lead his team to a perfect 15-0 record during senior season at Tanner High School ? a first-team Alabama Sports Writers Association went 7-0 in league play?totaled 28 receptions for 600 yards ? collected 42 tackles and five interceptions, including two for touchdowns ? had eight tackles to help defeat Washington County to win the Class 2A State Championship ? Rattlers finished ranked 14th in the state ? played under head coach Laron White ? Tanner High School was one of two schools in the state of Alabama to finish undefeated last season ? named a Class 2A first-team all-state player by the Alabama State Writers Association ? also named News Courier All-County and Decatur Daily All-Area?earned News Courier Player of the Week honors on Sept. 19 by scoring a touchdown on both offense and defense ? also plays forward on the basketball team.
T.J. MCCOLLUM
SAF | 6-3 | 205
BIRMINGHAM, ALA. (CLAY-CHALKVILLE HS)
A three-star prospect by Rivals.com ? as a senior, he recorded 56 tackles with three interceptions ? played receiver in his sophomore season before switching to the defensive backfield ? recorded 55 tackles and five interceptions in his junior season ? posted 46 tackles, averaging 4.6 per game, in 2012 ? team finished atop the AHSAA 6A Region 7 standings before falling in the semifinals of the state playoffs during his senior season ? high school teammate of fellow UAB signee Brandon Fuller as well as current Blazers Darrin Reaves and D.J. Vinson.
RODNEY MORRIS
WR | 6-3 | 215
ALPHARETTA, GA. (ALPHARETTA HS)
Played senior season at Alpharetta High School after attending 9th-11th years at Wesleyan High ? versatile player who saw action at wide receiver, tight end, linebacker and defensive back ? caught 30 passes for 500-plus yards as a senior ? also plays basketball at Alpharetta.
JORDAN PETTY
CB | 5-10 | 180
FLORENCE, ALA. (FLORENCE HS)
Three-year letterwinner under head coach Jamey DuBose at Florence High School ? named first-team defense by The Times Daily ? named team captain his Senior season ? high school teammate of fellow UAB signees JJ Green ? Petty is one of four Florence players to have committed to NCAA DI schools ? he recorded 24 solo tackles, 16 assists, three interceptions, and had eight pass breakups his senior season ... awarded the Joe Grant Award at team banquet for leadership both on and off the field.
ZACH SIMS
OL | 6-2 | 290.
HOMEWOOD, ALA. (HOMEWOOD HS)
Local product from nearby Homewood High School ? was a Class 5A honorable mention all-state selection by the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) ? also was tabbed to The Birmingham News All-Hoover/South Team as a senior and was a member of 2012 Birmingham News All-Metro Preseason Team for 2012 ? the anchor of the Homewood offensive line, Sims graded out at 96 percent for his senior season and did not yield a sack ? participated in the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game at Montgomery in December (one of only six Birmingham area players in the game)? named a captain for his team following senior season and also was tabbed Homewood's "Best Offensive Lineman" ? as a junior, he was a honorable mention selection to Birmingham News All-Hoover/South Team ? also is an outstanding wrestler, qualifying for Class 5A State Tournament as a freshman and junior.
ANDRA SMITH
DT | 6-4 | 305
MEMPHIS, TENN. (WHITEHAVEN HS)
Teams went a combined 29-1 in his last two seasons at Whitehaven High School ? played defensive tackle for a squad that went 15-0 and won the TSSAA 6A State Championship in 2012 ? ranked No. 29 overall on 247sports.com's state of Tennessee football recruiting rankings ? the same publication ranks him as the No. 82 overall defensive tackle prospect in the country ? an all-district selection for District 16 AAA in the state of Tennessee ? recorded 30 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and had two fumble recoveries in his senior season ? was an All-Shelby Metro selection in 2012 and participated in the Toyota East-West Tennessee All-Star Game.
JAMARI STAPLES
WR | 6-4 | 190
LINEVILLE, ALA. (CENTRAL HS)
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.
