The final number of UAB commitments from this past weekend probably won't be fully known until Wednesday, when the NCAA Early Signing period opens. It is believed that at least six players committed during the weekend.
Transfer portal linebacker James Smyre announced on social media Sunday night that he committed to UAB. Junior college linebacker Jamarcus Jones said Monday that he switched his commitment from UTEP to UAB during the weekend visit.
Smyre, at 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, just finished his freshman season at Marshall. The Central-Phenix City product was listed in the participation chart in five games but did not record any stats. He was a first-team all-state selection in 2021 as a senior in high school.
Jones said the relationship he's developed with UAB head coach Trent Dilfer and the assistant coaches already in place played a big role in his decision to flip his commitment.
"It's mainly the coaches," Jones said. "They were very transparent with me. That's a very big factor to me in recruiting. It's just about the honesty. And it's closer to home."
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Jones played receiver at Union High in Mississippi. He was listed on his JUCO roster as a tight end but played linebacker the past two seasons. Jones, who can play inside or outside, had 42 tackles with three tackles for loss this past season.
During his official visit, Jones said he used Friday as an "evaluation day" and gave his commitment on Saturday.
"It was everything that I'd want from a college, so I went ahead and committed," Jones said.
Several other players posted on social media that they were at UAB on a visit this weekend, but none have made a public commitment.
In other recruiting news:
*Troy received an important commitment from linebacker Steven Cattledge Jr. of East Mississippi Community College. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound inside linebacker had 120 tackles and 10 sacks in 11 games for the Lions.
*Defensive lineman Andrew Rumph of Palmetto, Fla. will make his announcement on Tuesday at noon. Rumph, who visited UAB on Dec. 9-11, will choose between the Blazers, UCF, Maryland and Miami.
*Central-Phenix City offensive tackle Keyon Cox (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) said on social media that he will choose between UAB, South Alabama, Memphis and UCF. He will announce his decision on Tuesday night at 7.
*Karon Weary, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound safety/wide receiver from East Marion High in Columbia, Mississippi, committed to South Alabama on Sunday.
*Samford received commitments from a pair of transfer portal players.
Outside linebacker Garrett Morris, who played in high school at Auburn High, transfers to Samford from Penn. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Morris played in 32 games for the Quakers, with starts in the most recent 20 contests.
This past season, Morris had 71 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception. Penn was 8-2 this season after finishing 3-7 in 2021.
Running back Damonta Witherspoon is moving from Murray State to Samford. In three seasons at Murray State, the 5-foot-10, 211-pound Witherspoon, who is from East St. Louis, Illinois, rushed for 1,993 yards with 14 touchdowns.
*Daphne High athlete Cameron Long announced on Sunday that he committed to Miles College.
*Offensive lineman John Ward of Northview High in Florida will participate in a mock signing ceremony on Tuesday. He reports 15 offers, including South Alabama, UAB and UNA. Ward is 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds.
*Moody High quarterback Cole McCarty took an official visit to Kennesaw State this past weekend. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound McCarty accounted for 3,428 yards and 41 touchdowns this season for Moody.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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