MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football recruiting added several verbal commitments in the days leading up to Wednesday’s National Signing Day, with the Jaguars landing pledges from offensive linemen, defensive backs, a quarterback and a safety from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Louisiana.
The commitments remain nonbinding until prospects sign National Letters of Intent. Wednesday, Feb. 3, is the first day high school seniors may sign, making their college choices official.
Offensive Line Prospects
Audoniss Madison, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound offensive lineman from Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, gave a verbal commitment to the South Alabama staff. Madison was named all-metro, all-district and all-state. He also drew interest from Virginia, Memphis, Louisiana Tech and Northern Illinois.
Shaun Artz of Buford High School in Georgia has also committed to the Jaguars. Artz is listed at 6-foot-6 and 246 pounds as an offensive tackle and can line up at guard or tackle. Buford is one of Georgia’s top high school football programs. Samford and Eastern Michigan were among the other schools that showed interest in Artz.
Defensive Backs
Antwan Williams, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback from Hoover High School, verbally committed to South Alabama. Williams had drawn interest from UAB, Memphis, Kentucky and Louisiana Tech. Hoover competes in Class 6A, Alabama’s largest classification.
Terrell Brigham, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound cornerback from Burke County High School in Georgia, is also on the list of commitments. Brigham played both quarterback and cornerback in high school and is expected to play cornerback for the Jaguars.
Trey Sims of North Gwinnett High School in Georgia is reportedly ready to announce a public commitment to South Alabama. Sims is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound safety with a reported 4.39-second time in the 40-yard dash, and he is projected as an outside linebacker. Akron, Indiana, Toledo, Louisiana-Monroe and Western Michigan also showed interest.
Quarterback C.J. Bennett
C.J. Bennett, a 6-foot quarterback from Hillsborough County, verbally committed to South Alabama last week. Bennett visited South Florida but did not receive a scholarship offer from new Bulls coach Skip Holtz. Shortly before former South Florida coach Jim Leavitt was fired, Bennett had been offered an official visit and had hoped to receive a scholarship offer during that trip.
Bennett committed to Wyoming last summer but withdrew that commitment about halfway through his high school season, citing the distance from home as the main reason. South Alabama offensive coordinator Greg Gregory, who previously coached at South Florida, had a long relationship with Bennett that helped the Jaguars land him.
Signing Day Event at the Mitchell Center
South Alabama will host a National Signing Day event Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Mitchell Center. Head coach Joey Jones and his staff will show a short video of the incoming freshman class and discuss the 2010 schedule. Fans will also have the chance to collect autographs from current players and members of the coaching staff.
The Jaguars are preparing for their second season of football after the program played its first games in 2009 under Jones.
