FLORENCE, Ala. (December 4, 2023) – The University of North Alabama participated in the college football early signing period on Dec. 4, 2024, adding over 20 athletes in December and January. Five more were added during the February signing period beginning Wednesday, Feb. 5.
As of the end of Janaury, UNA has announced 23 new players, including 14 high school players and nine transfers.
So far in February, UNA has added five high school players — linebackers Bishop Burkhalter and Quinterrius Robinson, kicker Chandler Dixon and wide receivers Jaden Barnes and Jeremiah Thomas.
Eighteen of the signees are from the state of Alabama, while two come from Georgia, one from Florida, one from Tennessee and one from Mississippi. Eight positions are included in the class, including five defensive backs. The Lions also added a quarterback, a running back, three wide receivers, three offensive linemen, a tight end, a defensive lineman, three linebackers and two specialists.
Fans can visit this webpage throughout the 2025 signing period for more information about each UNA signee as they become official. Fans are also encouraged to follow along on social media using the hashtag #ThePrideof25 on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Neyland Baker — OL — Freshman — Phil Campbell, Ala. — Russellville High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Russellville High School … Coached by Dustin Goodwin … Also lettered in baseball and indoor track … Helped lead the Golden Tigers to three regional championships ... Named Region 7 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024 ... Earned first team all-region honors in 2023 and 2024 and all-region honorable mention in 2022 ... Selected as a North/South All-Star in 2024 … Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is April 26 … Hometown is Phil Campbell, Alabama … Son of Rodney and Christina Baker and has one sibling, Tilmon … Anticipated major is business.
Raelon Sims — LB — Freshman — Sylacauga, Ala. — B.B. Comer Memorial High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at B.B. Comer Memorial High School … Coached by Adam Fossett … Also lettered in basketball, baseball, and track … Helped lead the Tigers to multiple state playoff appearances including a runner-up finish ... Earned all-region and all-county honors ... Holds the school record for total yards in a game with 506 … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 23 … Hometown is Sylacauga, Alabama … Son of Roy and Tiffany Sims … Anticipated Major is Kinesiology.
John Austin Wood — QB — Freshman — Fulton, Miss. — Itawamba Agricultural High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi … Coached by Clint Hoots … Excelled as a two-sport athlete … Helped lead the Indians to a Division Championship in 2022 and a Division Runner-Up finish in 2024 in addition to multiple playoff appearances ... Earned various all-region honors ... Selected for the 2024 Bernard-Blackwell North South Game ... Named 2023 Offensive MVP ... National Honors Society Member … Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is April 19 … Born in Starkville, Mississippi ... Hometown is Fulton, Mississippi … Son of JD and Rachel Wood … Anticipated major is exercise science.
Tanner Caudle — DB — Freshman — Florence, Ala. — Mars Hill Bible School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Mars Hill Bible School … Coached by Darrell Higgins … Also lettered in baseball and track … Helped lead the Panthers to three region championships ... Earned first team all-state honors ... Named Class 3A Player of the Year and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year ... Holds the school record for most tackles in a season with 120 … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is March 27 … Hometown is Florence, Alabama … Son of Mike and Jennifer Caudle and has two siblings, Chase and Cruise … Anticipated Major is Engineering.
Tyler Wallace — Specialist — Freshman — Appling, Ga. — Evans High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Evans High School in Evans, Georgia … Coached by Barrett Davis … Lead the Knights to multiple playoff appearances ... Named All-Region Kicker of the Year in 2024, All-Region Special Teams Player of the Year Kicker and Punter in 2023, and All-Region Second Team Kicker in 2022 and 2021 … Selected as a Dream 16 member by the Augusta Chronicle and the Border Bowl by WJBF News Channel 6 ... Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 16 … Hometown is Appling, Georgia … Son of Carl and Stephanie Wallace … Anticipated major is entrepreneurship.
Treyvon Avery — DB — Freshman — Guntersville, Ala. — Guntersville High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Guntersville High School … Coached by Lance Reese … Also lettered in basketball, baseball, tennis, and track … Helped lead the Wildcats to both a county and regional championship ... Named All-County MVP and Team MVP in 2023 … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 11 … Hometown is Guntersville, Alabama … Son of Angela Dawson and has four siblings … Anticipated major is kinesiology.
Matthew Wells — OL — Freshman — Newnan, Ga. — Trinity Christian School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg, Georgia … Coached by Kenny Dallas … Also lettered in wrestling … Helped lead the Lions to a state championship in 2021 ... Earned all-region honors in 2023 and 2024… Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is December 7 … Hometown is Newnan, Georgia … Son of Matt and April Wells and has one sibling, Kendall … Major is undecided.
Eric Williams — OL — Freshman — Mobile, Ala. — Williamson High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Williamson High School … Coached by Antonio Coleman … Helped lead the Lions to a playoff appearance while earning player of the week honors … Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is April 10 … Hometown is Mobile, Alabama … Son of Larhonda Henderson and has two sisters, Emani and Caleigh … Anticipated major is business management.
Donovan Hudson — DB — Freshman — Mobile, Ala. — Baker High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Baker High School … Coached by Juan Johnson … Also lettered in baseball and track … Named freshman linebacker of the year in 2022 and defensive back of the year in 2025 while leading the Hornets to their first playoff win in 40 years … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is August 2 … Hometown is Mobile, Alabama … Son of Reshaun and Heather Hudson and has three siblings, Dillon, Rodrick, and Townsend … His father, Reshaun, ran track at Southern Miss … Anticipated major is engineering.
Brannon Oliver — WR — Freshman — Fort Payne, Ala. — Fort Payne High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Fort Payne High School … Coached by Chris Elmore … Also lettered in baseball and indoor track … Helped lead the Wildcats to multiple playoff appearances ... Earned all-region honors in 2023 and 2024 and was selected for the 2024 AHSAA North/South All-Star Game ... Holds the school record for most receptions in a season with 66 ... National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta member … Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is April 4 … Hometown is Fort Payne, Alabama … Son of Blake and Andrea Oliver and has one sister, Bella … Anticipated major is business.
Christian Burkhalter — TE — Transfer — Mobile, Ala. — Spanish Fort High School — UCLA, Georgia Tech
PREVIOUS: Spent the 2021 season at UCLA … Transferred to Georgia Tech after redshirt season.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Spanish Fort High School in Alabama … … Led in the Toros to back-to-back state runner-up finishes … Three-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and
Rivals … Ranked No. 13 tight end by ESPN … No. 24 weakside DE by
Rivals … No. 235 prospect in Southeast region by ESPN … No. 19 prospect in state of Alabama by ESPN and
Rivals … Named to 2020 Alabama MaxPreps All-State second-team … Credited with 97 tackles as a senior with 25 tackles for loss … Coached by Brian Turner … Also lettered in basketball ... Selected to play in the 2021 Alabama All-Star Game as a senior … Graduated in 2021.
PERSONAL: Birthday is February 1 … Hometown is Mobile, Alabama … Son of Todd and Jenny Burkhalter and has three siblings, Jackson, Bishop, and Holland … His father, Todd, played football at Auburn and older brother, Jackson, played quarterback at Rhode Island … Plans to pursue an MBA at UNA.
Hunter Palmer — Running Back — Freshman — Florence, Ala. — Central High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Central High School … Coached by Heath Wood… Also lettered in track … Helped lead the Wildcats to multiple playoff appearances ... Earned all-state, all-region, and all-area honors throughout high school career ... Named MVP in 2023 and 2024 … Holds the record for rushing yards with 5800 and touchdowns with 77 ... Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is May 5 … Hometown is Florence, Alabama … Son of Shane and Stephanie Palmer and has one brother, Chase … Anticipated major is electrical engineering.
Zytavien Boddie — DB — Freshman — Florence, Ala. — Florence High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Florence High School … Coached by Kenny Morson … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is January 4 … Hometown is Florence, Alabama … Son of Tierra Jackson … Anticipated major is sport and recreation management.
Tae Martin — DB — Tallassee, Ala. — Reeltown High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Reeltown High School … Coached by Matt Johnson … Also lettered in baseball, basketball and track … Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is January 31 … Hometown is Tallassee, Alabama … Son of Catavis Martin and Jakia Smith and has three siblings, Jamarkius, Ryleigh and Hayleigh … Anticipated major is sport management.
Reginald Moseley — DL— Freshman — Mobile, Ala. — Alma Bryant High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Alma Bryant High School … Coached by Bart Session … Selected as an All-Coastal Honorable Mention in 2022 … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 26 … Hometown is Mobile, Alabama … Son of Carbett Moseley and has five siblings … Anticipated Major is Sports Management.
LT Sanders — RB — Transfer — Gardendale, Ala. — Gardendale High School
PREVIOUS: Played at Western Kentucky University under head coach Tyson Helton.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Gardendale High School … Coached by Chad Eads … Helped lead the Rockets to multiple playoff appearances ... Broke school record for most rushing touchdowns in a game and most career rushing yards ... Also lettered in basketball.
PERSONAL: Birthday is December 20 … Hometown is Gardendale, Alabama … Son of Kenyaki Sanders ... Has two siblings … Major is Sports Management.
Noah Bolticoff — OL — Graduate Transfer — Rose Hill, Kan. — Rose Hill High School — Indiana
PREVIOUS: Previously played at two Power Four programs, TCU and Indiana ... Appeared in seven games over two seasons at TCU (2021-22).
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Rose Hill High School in Rose Hill, Kansas … Coached by Lee Weber … Earned various all-conference and all-state honors ... Also lettered in basketball and track.
PERSONAL: Birthday is March 27 … Born in Grapevine, Texas … From Rose Hill, Kansas ... Son of Scott and Erica Bolticoff ... Has three siblings, Kylie, Kira, and Ella … Dad, Scott, played football at California Lutheran University ... Pursuing a Masters in Criminal Justice.
Tango McCauley — LB — Transfer— Oklahoma City, Okla. — Northeastern Oklahoma A&M
PREVIOUS: Played one season at the JUCO level at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in Miami, Oklahoma ... Played both middle and outside linebacker.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Del City High School in Oklahoma ... Finished with 92 tackles for 7.7 per game as a senior ... Was one of the top pass rushers in the state with 5.5 sacks ... Graduated in 2023.
PERSONAL: From Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Lance Bassett — DL — Transfer — Lawrence, Kan. — University of Kansas
PREVIOUS: Spent two seasons at Kansas as a redshirt ... Did not see any game action.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played high school ball at Lawrence High School under head coach Clint Bowen … Led the team with 2.0 sacks in 2022 … Played in 10 games with 47 total tackles as a senior … Also played basketball and track & field for the Lions.
PERSONAL: From Lawrence, Kansas ... Can play multiple instruments.
Boubacar "BJ" Diakate — DL — Transfer — Birmingham, Ala. — Vanderbilt
PREVIOUS: Played three seasons at Vanderbilt University under head coach Clark Lea ... Played in 27 games over three seasons with 36 tackles, 15 solo ... Recorded five tackles for loss and two sacks ... Also defended two passes ... Made three starts as a rookie in 2022.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Pinson Valley High School in Alabama … Coached by Sam Shade and defensive coordinator Darrius Gilbert ... Three-star prospect ranked by On3 as the No. 41 edge defender in the country and 247Sports as the No. 38 athlete, while also ranking among the top 25 players in Alabama by both publications ... Helped Pinson Valley to a 10-4 record during senior year (2021), reaching the state quarterfinals ... Recorded 74 tackles, 20 for loss, 10 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures while also scoring a defensive touchdown ... Helped Pinson Valley to a state championship in 2020 ... Also played tight end ... Also played basketball for Pinson Valley ... Chose Vanderbilt over Georgia Tech out of high school.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 28 … Hometown is Birmingham, Alabama … Son of Asmaou and Mamadou Diakite ... Has three siblings … Major is Communications.
Destin Wade — QB — Transfer — Spring Hill, Tenn. — University of Colorado
PREVIOUS: Played at two Power Four schools before landing at UNA, including Kentucky and Colorado ... Was ranked the No. 38 quarterback in the transfer portal in 2023 by 247 Sports ... Spent the 2024 season at Colorado, appearing in one game against Arizona ... Spent the 2023 season at Kentucky, redshirting as a true freshman and leading the practice squad ... Made his first career start at the end of the season against Iowa in the Music City Bowl ... Completed 16 of his 30 passes for 98 yards while adding 23 net rushing yards.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for Coach Brian Coleman at Summit High School in Spring Hill, Tenn. ... Was named "Mr. Football" as a senior for Division I, Class 6A, the largest classification in Tennessee ... Began starting at quarterback during his freshman year, then was the full-time starter for three seasons ... Was a four-star prospect in high school and was ranked the No. 12 athlete in his class by On3 ... ESPN ranked him as the No. 293 player nationally, the No. 24 athlete in the class and No. 9 player from Tennessee ... Rivals ranked him as the No. 16 athlete in the class and No. 10 player from Tennessee ... Guided Summit High School to a three-year record of 40-5 ... Team was state champion in Class 5A as a junior (14- 1 record) and state runner-up twice, Class 5A as a sophomore (12-3) and Class 6A as a senior (14-1) ... As a senior, rushed for 2,308 yards and 30 touchdowns while throwing for 1,436 yards and 18 TDs ... Named Region 7-6A Most Valuable Player ... Finalist for Class 5A "Mr. Football" as a junior while being named to the all-state team by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association ... Also a three-year letter winner as a guard on the basketball team.
PERSONAL: Born on October 22 in Nashville, Tennessee ... Son of Valerie and Steve Wade ... Has three brothers, Jalen, Cameron and Keaten ... Keaten is his twin brother, and both played together at Colorado ... Major is marketing ... Nickname is "Dae."
Brian Dilworth — DB — Transfer — Hollywood, Fla. — University of Kansas
PREVIOUS: Played three seasons at Kansas ... Appeared in four games, including three as a redshirt sophomore last season ... Recorded a tackle against Lindenwood and played in games against Iowa State and Kansas State ... Also played against Arkansas in 2022 and recorded a tackle.
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as a three star by Rivals and 247 Sports out of Chaminade-Madonna Prep, where he is a three-sport athlete between football, volleyball and basketball … Was named a Miami Herald 5A-Ind first-team selection in 2020 after helping Chaminade-Madonna reach the 3A championship … Recorded seven interceptions, two pass breakups and 29 tackles, in 2020 … In 2019, he started as a sophomore, leading the Lions to the 3A state title … Recorded three interceptions and two forced fumbles as a sophomore … Received offers from Auburn, Arkansas and Boston College out of high school, among others.
PERSONAL: From Hollywood, Fla. ... Wore the No. 22 at Kansas as an ode to his son's birthday.
Jaden Barnes — WR — Freshman — Dothan, Ala. — Dothan High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Dothan High School … Coached Jed Kennedy … Was a first team all-region selection ... Had over 1,000 all-purpose yards as a senior ... Also lettered in basketball … Honor Roll … Graduation Year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 3 ... Born in Sierra Vista, Arizona ... From Dothan, Alabama ... Son of Jessica Barnes and Christopher Stanyard ... Has four siblings — Eryn, Emari, Christien and Kade ... Majoring in sports medicine.
Jeremiah Thomas — WR — Freshman — Birmingham, Ala. — St. Clair County High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at St. Clair County High School ... Coached by Tyler Robinson ... Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 5 ... Hometown is Birmingham, Alabama ... Son of Gerald and Amanda Watters ... Major is business.
Chandler Dixon — K — Freshman — Florence, Ala. — Florence High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Florence High School ... Coached by Kenny Morson ... Helped lead the Falcons to four state playoff appearances ... Earned various all-state and all-region honors in addition to being named Week 7 Alabama State Player of the Week in 2022 ... Broke the school record for longest field goal made ... Also lettered in soccer ... Honors student ... Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 4 ... Hometown is Florence, Alabama ... Son of Daniel and Kristi Dixon ... Has two siblings, Carson and Sydney ... Major is Biology.
Quinterrius Robinson — LB — Freshman — Mobile, Ala. — Baker High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Baker High School in Mobile, Alabama ... Coached by Juan Johnson ... Played running back and outside linebacker ... Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 31 ... Hometown is Mobile, Alabama ... Son of Lequintin and Kakhina Robinson ... Has six siblings ... Major is Computer Information Systems.
Bishop Burkhalter — LB — Freshman — Mobile, Ala. — Spanish Fort High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Spanish Fort High School … Coached by Chase Smith … Also lettered in basketball … Earned various player of the week and player of the month awards while being named team captain by his teammates … Graduation year is 2025.
PERSONAL: Birthday is September 28 … Hometown is Mobile, Alabama … Son of Todd and Jenny Burkhalter ... Has three siblings, Jackson, Christian, and Holland … His father, Todd, played football at Auburn ... His older brother, Jackson, played quarterback at Rhode Island … His brother, Christian, recently committed to UNA from Georgia Tech ... Major is undecided.
