#11 Football 2/3/2021 7:14:00 PM

West Alabama Football Signs 22 from Alabama High Schools

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama head football coach Brett Gilliland's eighth February signing class consists of 22 players, all from high schools located in the state of Alabama. The Tigers are expected to add at least one more in the next day or two.

"Today has been a great day for Tiger football. Our coaching staff has worked extremely hard over the last several months to put together a great signing class," Gilliland said. "This class addresses needs in every area and we are looking forward to seeing these young men grow and develop over their college years.

"Each of these young men are from the state of Alabama," Gilliland said. "That is always a focus for us to recruit and keep great players in our state."

Gilliland and his staff secured signatures from 13 defensive players and nine from the offensive side of the ball. Six are defensive backs, four defensive linemen and two linebackers. UWA also signed four offensive linemen, three wide receivers, one quarterback and one tight end.

Coupled with six mid-year signees who are already on campus, the 2021 signing class expands to 28. The Tigers signed three offensive players and three defenders at mid-year, five of whom are transferring from Division I programs. Two are graduate transfers.

Following are thumbnail sketches for both the high school and mid-year signees:

Jackson Abbott, QB, 6-4, 186, Maplesville (Ala.) High School, Maplesville, Alabama
Three-year starter … In 12 games and a senior completed 97-of-188 for 1,547 yds and 16 touchdowns … only intercepted five times as a senior with a 51.6 completion percentage, a 143.5 quarterback rating and 576 Rushing Yards … Career stats include 49 Games where he completed 259-of-501 for 4,076 yds and 52 TDs … Career completion percentage  of 51.7 with 147.9 quarterback rating and 975 Rushing Yards … Two-time all-state … Three-time all-county … Clanton Advertiser Offensive Player of the Year … Also All-State in Basketball … Shortstop and pitcher in baseball.

Aydan Adams, DB, 5-10, 156, DB, Alma Bryant (Ala.) High School, Mobile, Alabama
Honor Roll student with 3.8 grade point average … Four-year letter winner in football, basketball and baseball … Crichton Optimist Defensive Back of the Week … UTV 44 Friday Night Rivals Player of the Game … WKRG-TV Friday Night Football Fever Play of the Week … 2020 All-Coastal selection as Athlete … Blue-Gray All-American Bowl … Had nine receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns … Carried six times for 33 yards … Had a 99-yard kickoff return for a TD … On defense recorded 50 total tackles, 18 solo … Broke up 15 passes and picked off four more … Recovered one fumble and returned it for 59 yards and a TD … Blocked two field goals and recorded a pick 6 … Class 7A Area 1 basketball All-Tournament Team, Thanksgiving Shootout All-Tournament Team …  1000-point high school career scorer.

Jerry Bethea, DL, 6-2, 275, Fairhope (Ala.) High School, Fairhope, Alabama
Three-year starter … As a senior played in 10 games, making 57 tackles, 41 solo … Recorded 10 tackles for loss as a senior … Career stats include 200 total tackles, 39 tackles for loss, five sacks, three recovered fumbles and two broken up passes … Two-time first-team all-state … Played in the Alabama North-South All-Star Game … Fairhope Player of the Week "TANK" Award … Team captain.

Joseph Buffett, WR, 6-0, 165, Hoover (Ala.) High School, Hoover, Alabama
Had 20 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns … Averaged 13.3 yards per catch … selected to play in the 62nd Annual North-South All-Star Football game … Also competed in track and field as a sprinter and long jumper.

Colby Golson, OL, 6-4, 353, Wetumpka (Ala.) High School, Wetumpka, Alabama
Two-year starter at left tackle … As a senior played 538 snaps and graded out at 81 percent … In 197 pass plays only allowed three sacks … Had 12 pancake blocks … Listed among Players to Watch by Wetumpka Herald … All-County … Four-year varsity indoor/outdoor track and field letter winner … Has thrown over 127' in the discus and 50' in the shot put … Member of the Wetumpka Robotics Team.

Lee Gregg, DL, 6-1, 281, Auburn (Ala.) High School, Auburn, Alabama
All-state selection … Led team to the Alabama 7A state championship game … Two-year starter … Despite being double teamed regularly as a senior still recorded 41 tackles, 24 solo … Had four tackles for loss and two sacks while breaking up a pass … Super 7 Finalist… Selected to play in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Opelika-Auburn News first-team All-Area defensive lineman … As a junior recorded 24 tackles, including seven for loss, three sacks and a broken up pass … Super 7 Semifinalist as a junior … OA News All- Area as a junior.

Devonte Harris, DB, 6-0, 166, Vigor (Ala.) High School, Prichard, Alabama
Recorded 105 tackles … Had six interceptions and one forced fumble … Broke up seven passes … Had 26 receptions for 338 yards and four touchdowns … Earned player of the week and student of the month honors … Nickname is "Jelly".

Hollis Martin, DL, 6-2, 230, Florence (Ala.) High School, Florence, Alabama
All-region… All-area … Recorded 46 tackles … Had 20 tackles for loss … Recorded 11 quarterback sacks.

Brandon Kirksey, OL, 6-4, 359, Oxford (Ala.) High School, Oxford, Alabama
Graded out at 86 percent as a senior … Had 46 Pancakes and 38 kill blocks … All-State … All-Region … All-County as junior and senior … Team captain as junior and senior Helped contribute to a record of 47-7 over his four seasons as a starter ... Won a state championship and two region championships … Member of 3 straight state championship teams … Selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game.

Damien Lawry, OL, 6-3, 300, Benjamin Russell (Ala.) High School, Alexander City, Ala.
Four-year starter … Team captain … Three-time All-Alexander City Outlook Team …. Graded out 90 percent for his career … Also wrestled at BRHS where he was a four-time state qualifier … Two-time state placer as a wrestler with over 130 career victories … Still adding to wrestling accolades as season progresses.

Kirk Lipscomb, TE, 6-4, 192, Fairhope (Ala.) High School, Fairhope, Alabama
Two-time all-county … 81 total tackles … 36 tackles for loss … Eight sacks … Two forced fumbles … Two fumble recoveries … Three pass breakups … National Honor Society.

Caleb Lyles, OL, 6-3, 316, Fyffe (Ala.) High School, Fyffe, Alabama
Played on three state championship teams … Selected to play in Alabama North-South All-Star Game … Recorded 30 pancake blocks as a sophomore, with 50 more as a junior and 60 as a senior … Three-time nominee for 2A State Lineman of the Year … Three-time all-state selection … 2020 Defensive player of the year in Dekalb County … In 2018 had 28 tackles, 25 in 2019 and 58 as a senior … Recorded three tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior.

Tyrrell Mayberry, DL, 5-11, 209, Gordo (Ala.) High School, Gordo, Alabama
Helped lead team to 4A state championship game as a senior … Recorded 117 tackles with nine sacks as a senior … Had 30 quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries and scored a defensive touchdown … Tuscaloosa News West Alabama All-Star …  Had seven tackles in the annual North-South All-Star Game to lead the North team … Recorded 15 tackles in state championship game … ASWA All-State.

Michael McGregor, DB, 6-0, 198, Talladega (Ala.) High School, Talladega, Alabama
All-state … All-county … All-region … Had 874 receptions for 14 touchdowns … Racked up 619 return yards … Rushed for 436 yards and seven touchdowns … As defensive player recorded 67 tackles and intercepted five passes.

Zhivago McNeil, LB, 5-11, 198, Mobile Christian (Ala.) High School, Mobile, Alabama
Selected to play in North-South All-Star Game … Recorded 149 career tackles, 115 solo … Had 25 tackles for loss and seven sacks for career while intercepting two passes and scoring three touchdowns … Had 41.5 tackles and four sacks as a senior … Had 98 tackles, 92 solo as a junior … 15 tackles for loss as a junior with three sacks, two interceptions and a touchdown … Added on 10 receptions for 215 yards and 77 carries for 553 yards and two TDs on the offensive side of the ball.

Dearrius Nelson, WR, 6-0, 170, Huffman (Ala.) High School, Birmingham, Alabama
Had 40 receptions as a senior for 500 yards and five touchdowns … Averaged 12.5 yards per reception.

Jameel Richardson, LB, 6-0, 196, Theodore (Ala.) High School, Mobile, Ala.
Two-time all-county … Team captain as a senior … Helped lead team to a pair of Class 7A Region 1 championships … Earned player of the week for his performance against Saraland as a senior.

Elijah Spivey, WR, 6-2, 185, Benjamin Russell (Ala.) High School, Alexander City, Alabama
Two-year starter… Had 45 receptions for 736 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … Averaged 16.4 yards per reception … Rushed 20 times for 300 yards as a senior (15 yard per carry) … As a junior in eight games as a wide receiver he had 40 catches for 653 yards (16.2 ypc) and four TDs … In two games at quarterback as a junior was 15-for-26 for 400 yds and three TDs … 2020 Alexander City OutlookPlayer of the Year… Team captain.

Jaden Taylor, DB, 5-10, 192, Park Crossing (Ala.) High School, Montgomery, Alabama
Senior defensive stats include 18 tackles, 3 broken up passes, a recovered fumble and a sack … Also played quarterback as a senior due to season ending injury to starter … As a junior made 73 tackles, including 2.5 sacks … Picked off two passes and broke up 14 more as a junior … Forced two fumbles, recovered one and had eight quarterback k hurries as a junior … Credited with 74 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore … 12 tackles for loss as a sophomore to go along with two blocked field goals … 2020 Homecoming King ... 2020-21 Blue Grey All-American Bowl participant.

Dorian Weaver, LB, 6-2, 230, Citronelle (Ala.) High School, Citronelle, Alabama
All-Coastal Alabama selection at linebacker … Recorded 140 career tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks … Had two interceptions … Three-year starter … Made 45 and 60 Tackles in last two seasons, respectively … Had 11 tackles for loss over last 2 years … Scored five touchdowns as a senior and two TDs as a junior on offense … Team captain as a senior … Member of GENTS Organization … Member of FCA.

Jaylon Webster, DB, 5-11, 173, Enterprise (Ala.) High School, Enterprise, Alabama
Recorded 71 tackles, 40 solo, as a senior … Had 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions … Returned one interception for a touchdown … Broke up 13 passes … Had 168 career tackles, 115 solo … Eight career tackles for loss, four career picks ad 21 career PBUs.

Issac Williams, DB, 6-0, 174, Murphy (Ala.) High School, Mobile, Alabama
2020 All-Coastal Alabama Football Team  … 2019 6A-7A All Area Team … 2019 Defensive Most Valuable Player for Murphy High School … Two-year career stats include 151 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and six sacks …  Had one interception and forced three fumbles … Blocked a punt and broke up eight passes.

Mid-Year Signee Thumbnails:

Ricky Chatman, LB, 6-0, 235, Northwestern State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Played in all 12 games at Northwestern (La.) State in 2019 as linebacker and member of special teams ... Northwestern's 2020 fall schedule was postponed until the spring due to COVID ... Earned Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering … Two-sport letter winner at West Feliciana (La.) High School ... All-district tight end ... Also helped lead his high school track and field team to the district, regional and Class 3A state title in the shot put ... Graduated as honor student.

Justin Ellis, TE, 6-4, 212, Florida Tech, Orlando, Florida
Played at Florida Tech 2019, but was redshirted … Played at Bishop Moore Catholic (Fla.) High School.

George Jackson, DB, 5-10, 192, Troy University, Rolling Ford, Mississippi
Played in five games in 2020 at Troy and broke up one pass … Played at Mississippi Delta Community College … Recorded 79 tackles, six tackles for loss, a forced fumble, four interceptions and six pass break ups over two seasons at MDCC … Breakout sophomore juco season with 58 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions … Earned Associate of Art degree … Played at South Delta (Miss.) High School … Four-year letterman at both defensive back and wide receiver … Named to the all-state and all-district teams for both offense and defense as a junior and senior… Also lettered in track & field.

Isaiah Karriem, LB, 6-0, 215, Texas State University, Columbus, Mississippi
Registered no stats in 2020 at Texas State ... Played at Mississippi Delta Community College … Recorded 49 total tackles, including 36 solo stops as a sophomore … Had 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack as a sophomore … Had 18 tackles with 10 solo stops as a freshman … Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State … Earned Associate of Arts degree … Played at Columbus (Miss.) High School … lettered four seasons at CHS.

Darius Nalls, WR, 6-2, 188, Austin Peay University, Fayette, Alabama
Appeared in three games in 2019 at Austin Peay ... Athletics Director's Honor Roll … Played in one game and was redshirted in 2018 … Played at Fayette County (Ala.) High School … Ranked as a two-star prospect by 247sports.com … Also played basketball, averaging 31.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.1 assists per game as a senior.

De'Varius Nalls, OL, 6-3, 300, North Alabama, Fayette, Alabama
Was a member of the UNA football team in 2019 but did not play due to injury ... Earned Bachelor's Degree … Played in eight games with seven starts on the offensive line as a junior at UNA … Played in five games at UNA with two starts as a sophomore but missed half the season due to injury … Transferred to UNA from Murray State University … Played at Fayette County (Ala.) High School … Helped lead the Tigers to two state playoffs … All-state and runner-up for offensive lineman of the year … Also lettered in basketball.

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Players Mentioned

#36 Isaiah Karriem: LB; 6' 0"; Junior

#21 George Jackson: DB; 5' 10"; Junior

#19 Ricky Chatman: LB; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#13 Darius Nalls: WR; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

#82 Justin Ellis: TE; 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#36 Isaiah Karriem
: 6' 0"; Junior
: LB

#21 George Jackson
: 5' 10"; Junior
: DB

#19 Ricky Chatman
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: LB

#13 Darius Nalls
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: WR

#82 Justin Ellis
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: TE