UAB Recruiting Update: Blazers Coming On Strong

UAB is looking to get back on the field in the 2017 season, still as a member of Conference USA.

Each FBS team is allotted 85 scholarships and most teams boast over 100 players. The Blazers have a long way to go to reach those numbers, so the December 2015 signing period and February 2016 signing periods will be crucial in rebuilding a roster with not only warm bodies, but players that can contribute to a competitive football team on the Southside.

According to 247Sports, the Blazers have seven commits for the 2016 year, most of which are expected to sign with UAB next month.

Clifton Garrett

Rated the 15th best junior college prospect by the 247Sports Composite ratings (which aggregates numbers from various recruiting to provide an unbiased review), Garrett will join the UAB football program after a stop at Arizona Western College. He originally signed with LSU out of high school as a 5-star linebacker and now garners a 3-star rating from the 247Sports Composite. He is also considered the top JUCO inside linebacker by 247Sports. According to the site, he also held offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Florida State.

Here are Garrett's highlights.

Maquedius "Quay" Bain

Like Garrett, Bain also signed with LSU out of high school. He is currently a 6-4, 300-pound defensive tackle out of Pearl River Community College. He is currently a 3-star recruit, rated as the 50th best JUCO prospect by 247Sports, and was once a 4-star player in high school.

Noah Jones

A current teammate and defensive line mate of Bain at Pearl River, Jones is another 3-star prospect get for the Blazers at 6-5, 265 pounds. He is originally from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and originally signed with Michigan State. Jones is considered the 74th overall prospect out of the junior college ranks by 247Sports, and the 4th best strong-side defensive end. 247Sports also lists Kentucky, Louisiana-Lafayette, and Memphis as other offers.

Here are some highlights of Jones.

Tyler Marshall

Marshall comes from the high school ranks as a 3-star prospect per the 247Sports Composite. He is listed as a pro-style quarterback and also registered an offer from Mississippi State. Marshall told al.com's Drew Champlin that he could play either tight end or quarterback. Marshall comes from Northview High School in Dothan, Ala.

Here is a link to Marshall's Hudl account.

Shaquille Jones

The 6-2, 175 pound cornerback originally enrolled at Georgia before being dismissed from the team. Now at Iowa Western Community College, Jones is the 14th-ranked corner out of JUCO per the 247Sports Composite. His 247Sports page also lists offers from Indiana, Marshall, and Southern Miss. He now holds a 2-star rating by the 247Sports Composite.

Here is Jones' Hudl page at his current school.

Christian Robinson

Another addition to the defensive line of UAB, Robinson signed with Blinn College out of high school. He is a defensive end from Friendswood, Tex., and 247Sports ranks him as the 107th prospect in this class. At 6-5, 240 pounds, he should be able to bolster his frame at UAB before hitting the field in 2017 and provide an impact.

Here are Robinson's high school highlights.

Charles Brenner

The 6-2, 300-pound offensive tackle from Georgia Military College visited UAB in September and committed soon thereafter.

Here are Brenner's clips from GMC.

Buddy Tuamasaga

A native of American Samoa, the tight end from Tyler Junior College does not have a 247Sports page, but sent a tweet after his visit to UAB that he was committed.

Here are Buddy's highlights.

Sederian Copeland

Also from Tyler Junior College, Copeland is a 6-foot, 175-pound dual-threat quarterback. While his 247Sports page does not reflect it, his Twitter profile portrays himself as a UAB commit.

Here are Copeland's TJC highlights.

Ingram Hayek-Tillard

Hayek-Tillard is an offensive lineman currently attending Eastern Arizona College. His Twitter account suggests that he is also committed to UAB.

Greg Bryant

A former 5-star running back from American Heritage High School in Delray Beach, Florida, Bryant never got his feet off the ground at Notre Dame. He moved on to ASA College in Miami, and the 5-10, 205-pound back has played in just a single game this year, rushing for 77 yards on nine carries.

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According to Champlin, Shaquille Jones, Brenner, Robinson, Copeland, Tuamasaga, Noah Jones, Bain, and Garrett plan to be mid-year signees for the Blazers, meaning they will arrive on campus during the December signing period. As of now, Marshall and Hayek-Tillard are scheduled to sign in February, 2016.