Alabama State lands 10 recruits on National Signing Day
Alabama State Football
Alabama State Universoity Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson Jr., announced the signing of 10 incoming freshman during the early signing period on Wednesday.
All student-athletes are from the high school ranks that includes six from the state of Alabama and four from state of Florida.
| SIGNEE | POS. | HT | WT | HOMETOWN | PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| Devin “DJ” Brown | RB | 5’11” | 183 | Hurtsboro, Ala. | Russell County HS |
| Austin Candler | OT | 6’5″ | 285 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Mandarin HS |
| Aaron Ford Jr. | OLB | 6’2″ | 180 | Boca Raton, Fla. | West Boca Raton HS |
| Kevin Gaines | CB | 6’0″ | 160 | Mobile, Ala. | Baker HS |
| Zamari Hall | S | 6’0″ | 190 | Tampa, Fla. | Armwood HS |
| Terrence Johnson Jr | DB | 5’10” | 175 | Pompano Bech, Fla. | Cardinal Gibbons HS |
| Ricky Nichols | LB | 6’0″ | 213 | Mobile, Ala. | BC Rain HS |
| Elijah Owens | S | 6’3″ | 180 | Mobile, Ala. | Citronelle HS |
| Patrick Smith Jr. | DE | 6’3″ | 225 | Birmingham, Ala. | Clay Chalkville HS |
| Azariel Todd | LB | 6’0″ | 215 | Webb, Ala. | Houston County HS |
| Tykerius “Tye” Tucker | C | 6’2″ | 295 | Pritchard, Ala. | Vigor HS |
| Christian Williams | DE | 6’3″ | 245 | Tallahassee, Fla. | St. John Paul Catholic |
Brown played for Dillon Griggs at Russell County High School in Seale, Ala. He earned All-Chattahoochee Valley honors as a running back in 2024. Brown plans to major in sports management at ASU.
Candler was a standout offensive lineman for Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Fla., where he was an All-District selection in 2024. Candler plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at Alabama State.
Ford prepped at West Boca Raton High School in Boca Raton, Fla. Ford recorded 58 tackles for an average of 4.5 tackles per game. He recorded one interception, caused one fumble, and recovered two fumbles his senior year. He finished his career with 178 tackles, 112 solo, five interceptions and, 10 tackles for loss.
Gaines played for Juan Johnson at Baker High School in Baker, Ala. Gaines helped Baker to the 2024 AHSAA State Championship games. Gaines recorded 60 tackles with eight passes defended (2 INT/6 PBU) while averaging 3.0 tackles per game. Gaines has a 3.9 GPA and will graduate with honors from BHS. Gaines plans to be a computer science major at Alabama State.
Hall recorded 124 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, and six interceptions during his career at Armwood High School in Tampa, Fla. Hall also knocked down 10 passes, recovered two, and caused three fumbles. In 2024, Hall recorded 28 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, and seven pass breakups from his safety position.
Johnson played defensive back for Coach Matthew Dubuc at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Johnson was named a Miami Herald 2A District Defensive First Team Safety and was a two-time Most Valuable Defensive player. Johnson is a US Army Bowl Game invitee and was a nominee for the Broward vs. Dade Florida Bowl Game Nominee. He was named the MVP of the Wisconsin and Illinois football camps. Johnson made the A-B Honor Roll and won the 4.0 and above GPA Award.
Owens played at Citronelle High School in Mobile, Ala. Owens recorded 84 tackles with 2.0 for loss, four interceptions, and seven total passes defended. In 2024, Owens made 48 stops with one tackle for loss, three interceptions, and four pass deflections.
Todd prepped under Coach Tanner Harris at Houston County High School in Columbia, Ala. Todd played a host of positions, including running back, receiver, kick returner, quarterback, linebacker, and defensive end. Todd was named the team MVP and won a state track title during his prep career. Todd plans on majoring in sports management.
Tucker played for Coach John McKenzie at Vigor High School in Pritchard, Ala. Tucker earned offensive lineman of the week twice and was named the player of the week one time during the 2024 season. Tucker was on the A/B honor roll during his career while maintaining perfect attendance. Tucker plans to major in computer science at Alabama State.
Williams played for Tremain Hughes Sr. at St. John Paul Catholic in Tallahassee, Fla. Williams was selected First-Team All-Big Bend District two times and was a Third-Team All-State selection. Williams was named the Tallahassee Quarterback Club’s Defensive Player of the Year.
(Information from Alabama State University)
