TRUSSVILLE –Hewitt-Trussville defensive back David Acfalle said he comes from a UAB family,
His mom is a nurse practioner at UAB Hospital, his stepdad is a genetics researcher at UAB and his older sister is a UAB student.
In the end, that, plus the family atmosphere Bill Clark has created on the Southside, won him over.
Acfalle, who picked UAB over his other finalists of Illinois, Southern Miss, Middle Tennessee, Navy and Western Kentucky, committed Saturday because he said he wanted to get the recruiting process over with.
“I was pretty committed to UAB,” Acfalle said. “I wanted to get the recruiting stuff out of the way so I can concentrate on the team and my senior season.”
Huskies coach Josh Floyd said Acfalle is an elite cornerback prospect. “The size and speed he brings to the table,” Floyd said. “He’s a big corner, strong and physical.”
He has run a 4.3 40, and at 6-foot, 192 pounds, he can be a unique cornerback. Acfalle said UAB envisions him as a combo defensive back, playing either corner or safety and working as a nickel back.
He has somewhat flown under the radar after suffering a wrist injury before the 2015 season. His performance in summer camps and in 7on7 play opened some eyes. He holds 14 offers in all.
He said Clark didn’t promise him a starting spot in 2017, the first year the Blazers will be back on the field.
“He said they have big plans for me, but you have to earn your spot. You have to work for it, you have to deserve it.”
The opportunity to play at home, where his family can watch him, was also a factor. The main thing, though, Acfalle said was, “The feeling of family Coach Clark has created. The coaches believe in being a big family, so I feel like it’s a family away from my family.”
Acfalle said he still has a lot to learn as a defensive back and that’s what he’s going to be working on improving this season.
“Honestly, I need to work on everything: ball skills, making interceptions, the mindset of competing hard, mentally and physically,” he said. “I’m not the perfect player yet.”
Acfalle will have a member of his Husky family with him at UAB. Wide receiver Grayson Cash also committed to the Blazers on Saturday. Cash likes what’s going on at UAB with the new football facilities and practice field construction underway.
The relationships he made with coaches was important too.
“They always contact me about how I’m doing and caring about me more than just football,” he said. “I feel like something special is happening here and I want to be a part of it.”
One Comment
William Kennedy
Welcome to the south side, gentlemen. You’re going to look great in green.