MOBILE, Ala. — Vestavia Hills High School offensive guard Drew Dearman became the first member of South Alabama’s 2010 football signing class on Wednesday, National Signing Day, when he sent his National Letter of Intent to the Jaguars.
Dearman, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 270 pounds, announced on his Twitter account Wednesday morning that he was heading into his school to fax the signed letter to USA. The paperwork makes him the first signee of the Jaguars’ 2010 freshman class.
A Wide Recruitment
Dearman drew interest from a long list of programs before choosing South Alabama. Arkansas, Duke, Louisiana-Monroe, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Samford, Southern Miss and UAB were all recruiting the lineman.
Vestavia Hills is located in suburban Birmingham.
Building the Program
South Alabama football is in the early stages of its existence. The program, led by head coach Joey Jones, began play in 2009 and is continuing to add players as it builds toward a full schedule and higher levels of competition.
National Signing Day marks the first day high school seniors can sign binding letters of intent with NCAA football programs. Additional signings for South Alabama’s 2010 class are expected to be announced as the day continues.
Dearman is expected to join the Jaguars’ offensive line, where size and depth are priorities for a program still assembling its first several recruiting classes.
