By Gary Lloyd
BIRMINGHAM — A former Hewitt-Trussville football standout is transferring from UAB.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Joseph Roberts said he will transfer to Jacksonville State.
Roberts signed with UAB in February, the only high school player from the state of Alabama to sign as part of head coach Bill Clark’s first class.
As a senior at Hewitt-Trussville in 2013, Roberts totaled 76 tackles, good for fifth on the defense. He added nine tackles for loss and was tied for first on the defense with three sacks. Roberts also had three pass breakups.
Former Clay-Chalkville standout D.J. Vinson, a running back at UAB, will play his final season at South Alabama.
There were four players on the UAB roster from The Trussville Tribune coverage area in addition to Roberts and Vinson. Redshirt freshman safety T.J. McCollum, sophomore running back Marcus Reaves and redshirt freshman linebacker Brandon Fuller all played at Clay-Chalkville High School. Junior wide receiver Jamal Hundley played at Hewitt-Trussville High School.
The players will be able to transfer to another FBS football program and play immediately, as opposed to sitting out the typical one year of competition.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.