By Gary Lloyd
Former Clay-Chalkville running back Darrin Reaves will enter the 2013 college football season with UAB in a unique way.
According to UAB Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations Norm Reilly, Reaves is the only returning NCAA running back with 1,000-plus rushing yards and 40-plus receptions during the 2012 season.
Reaves rushed for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns, while catching 41 passes for 302 yards and one touchdown as a sophomore last season. UAB finished the 2012 season with a 3-9 record.
Reaves was a 2012 All Conference USA First Team selection, the Blazers’ first and only all-conference running back in school history. Reaves was named to Phil Steele’s 2013 Preseason All Conference USA team as a second-team honoree.
UAB opens the 2013 football season at Troy on Aug. 31.
Reaves played in nine games as a freshman, finishing with 372 rushing yards on 79 carries.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Reaves rushed for 1,223 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior at Clay-Chalkville in 2010. He caught 21 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown, and also recorded a 70-yard punt return touchdown. The Cougars that season reached the Class 6A quarterfinals, finishing with a 9-4 record.
Reaves’ father, Darrin, lettered at UAB in 1991 as a tailback, making them the first father-son legacy at UAB. Marcus Reaves, his younger brother, is also on the UAB roster as a wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound younger brother was also a running back at Clay-Chalkville.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.