Steve Irvine Breaks Down UAB Football’s 2026 Transfer Portal Class

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - January 20, 2026

UAB FOOTBALL TRANSFER PORTAL PERIOD SIGNEES

WR KJ Daniels, Oklahoma

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Franklinton, La. native didn’t play in two seasons at Oklahoma. He was rated as a 4-star player by ESPN coming out of high school. Daniels ran a 10.94 100-meter dash in high school. He should have three years of eligibility remaining.

WR Ty Mims, Texas State

An Alabama native, who played three seasons at Southern Miss and spent this past season at Texas State. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound playmaker had 96 catches for 1,194 yards with five touchdowns in 31 games over three seasons at Southern Miss. He also was a dangerous kick returner for the Golden Eagles. Mims did not record any stats at Texas State this past season. Was an outstanding dual threat quarterback at Baldwin County High, accounting for more than 1,400 yards passing, more than 1,400 yards rushing and 32 touchdowns as a senior. Will probably have year of eligibility remaining.

WR EJ Reid, Wake Forest

The 5-foot-8 Reid played in three games as a true freshman in 2024 but did not see the field last season for the Demon Deacons. Was a dynamic high school player on two Virginia state championship teams at Freedom High in Woodbridge. As a junior, he had 56 catches for 1,050 yards with 17 touchdowns on offense and had four interceptions at cornerback, including one he returned for a touchdown. Reid was also the team’s punter and kicker.

WR CJ Smith, Memphis

Making his fourth college football stop after spending two seasons at Georgia and one each at Purdue and Memphis. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound speedster was ranked as a consensus 4-star recruit and the No. 16 wide receiver in the country by ESPN after his senior season at Mt. Dora High in Apopka, Fla. He had six catches for 116 yards in nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2023. Had one catch for 21 yards in a win over UAB. Transferred to Purdue in 2023 and had six catches for 69 yards in three games. Played in 12 games at Memphis but did not have any catches. Was a track star in high school with personal bests of 10.28 in the 100-meter dash and 20.62 in the 200-meter dash. By comparison, former UAB standout and NFL veteran JJ Nelson’s personal best times in high school were 10.49 in the 100-meter dash and 21.76 in the 200-meter dash.

TE Sean Persson, Toledo

The Spanish Fork, Utah native was an outside receiver at Maple Mountain High. At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds he moved to tight end in college. Had a team-high 26 catches for 364 yards with six touchdowns at Citrus College in California in 2024. Persson was at Toledo last season but unable to play because of an injury.

TE Scott Isacks, Florida

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound New Orleans native played four years at Florida, including a redshirt season in 2022. He played in 14 games over the next two years but did not play in a game in 2025. Earned his bachelor’s degree at Florida in Education Sciences.

OL Keyon Cox, Oregon State

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Cox is expected to begin at right tackle but also could play guard. Cox played in three games over two seasons at UCF and participated in four games with one start last season at Oregon State. He is an Alabama native, who played in high school at Central Phenix City. Central advanced to the Class 7A state championship game in Cox’s junior and played in the semifinals the following season. He was an all-state second team selection in 2022. Should have two years of eligibility remaining.

OL Cooper Young, West Virginia

The 6-foot-5, 309-pound offensive guard played in two games in 2023 but did not see the field the past two seasons. Missed the 2025 season with an injury. Should push for a spot in the rotation at guard but also can play center. Was a standout at Downington High in Pennsylvania.

OL Barrett Maddox, Itawamba (Miss.) CC

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle was highly recruited out of Clinton High in Tennessee. Maddox was ranked as the 18th best prospect from Tennessee and 39th offensive tackle recruit in the country by Rivals. He chose Vanderbilt, where he spent a season before entering the portal. Maddox was committed to Marshall before choosing Itawamba Community College in Mississippi. Selected as on the fourth team of the JCGridiron Preseason All-American team before the 2025 season. Maddox committed to FIU before switching to UAB.

OL Samuel Riddy Jr., East Carolina

Played defensive line when he first came to ECU but moved to the offensive side midway through his true freshman season. The athletic Riddy was on the football, basketball and track teams at North Charleston High in South Carolina. He had 112 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and five sacks over his final two high school seasons and also had 12 catches for 130 yards and two rushing attempts for 18 yards. Took a redshirt season in 2024 and did not see any game action in 2025.

RB Braylon “Bam” McReynolds, Louisiana-Monroe

The 5-foot-7, 195-pound McGill-Toolen graduate follows Hindley Brigham to UAB. Brigham was the ULM running back coach and McReynolds was the team’s second leading rusher in the lone season at the school for both. McReynolds rushed for 637 yards and three touchdowns and caught 16 passes for 90 yards with another touchdown in 2025. He played in 29 games over three seasons at South Alabama, compiling 669 rushing yards and 512 receiving yards. He was an all-state player at McGill-Toolen after combining for 3,375 yards and 48 touchdowns over his final two seasons. Has one college season left to play.

RB Roderick Robinson II, Georgia

Was a composite 4-star prospect after his senior season at San Diego Lincoln High. Spent the past three seasons at Georgia, where injuries slowed his progress. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Robinson had 34 carries for 221 yards and two catches for 13 yards in his time at Georgia. He was the team’s third leading rusher in 2024, rushing for 196 yards. He had 70 yards on seven carries in the Orange Bowl win over Florida State. Robinson had the game’s first touchdown with a 1-yard yard scoring reception during the 2025 SEC Championship Game win over Alabama. Led Lincoln to a CIF DI-AA state championship in 2022. Tied a California state championship game record with four touchdowns in the winner over longtime prep power Concord De La Salle. Rushed for 2,378 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior. Was a high school teammate of former UAB offensive tackle Logan Moore.

RB Ja’vin Simpkins, Coastal Carolina

The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Simpkins was the Chanticleers leading rusher in 2025 with two touchdowns and also had 17 catches for 74 yards. He played in three games in 2024 because of an injury and had 129 yards rushing with a touchdown in 2023 as a true freshman. Was also one of the top kick returners for Coastal Carolina. Simpkins was highly recruited out of Miami Norland High. He was rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN and received three stars from 247 Sports, Rivals and On3. Was a three-year letterwinner and played in the Under Armour All-American game after his senior year. Had 769 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing and 18 catches for 258 yards as a senior.

DL Raymond “Cookie” Macias, Cambell University

The 6-foot-1, 300-pound Covina, Calif. native played two seasons for the Fighting Camels of Campbell. In 2025, Macias had 20 tackles, shared a sack and had one quarterback hurry in nine games. He played in two games as a true freshman. Should have three years of eligibility remaining. Macias was also a standout wrestler at Bishop Amat High.

DL Sterling Sanders, Boston College

Young defensive tackle with four years of eligibility remaining. Played in one game last season but did not record any stats. The 6-foot-4, 291-pound Sanders was ranked as a 4-star recruit by 247 Sports out of Blythewood (S.C.) High. As a senior, he had 40 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 23 quarterback pressures and a rushing touchdown.

DL Noah Nelson, Georgia State

The big defensive tackles had stops at Georgia State, Grambling State and Clark Atlanta. Was listed at 6-foot-5 295 pounds at Georgia State and 6-foot-7, 310 pounds at Grambling State. Played seven games in 2025 at Georgia State and was credited with two tackles. Played in seven games over two seasons at Grambling State. Was a standout at Westlake High in Atlanta.

DL Cam Cunningham, Youngstown State

Taking the step up to FBS after a career that included stops at Saginaw State, Fayetteville State and Youngstown. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle had 18 tackles, one tackle for loss, 0.5 sack, one interception and two pass breakups in 2025 at Youngstown State. He is a Kalamazoo, Michigan native.

DL Chris Spencer, Old Dominion

Spent four seasons at Old Dominion with a redshirt in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound interior lineman had seven tackles and a sack in 2025. The sack came in a 33-0 win over Troy. Overall, Spencer had nine tackles in 19 games at ODU over the past three seasons. The Burgaw, N.C. native played in the NC vs. SC All-Star Game after his senior season at Pender High.

DE Eli Hall, Liberty

The versatile 6-foot-3, 240-pound Shelby, N.C native can move inside if needed but does most of his work on the edge. Had 11 tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, one quarterback hurry and three pass breakups in 2025 at Liberty. Had nine tackles and two quarterback hurries for the Flames in 2024. Was at Wake Forest for two seasons with a redshirt season in 2022. Ranked as a 4-star recruit by Rivals after his senior season at Crest High despite playing in just six games. Credited with 32 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior. The three-year starter combined for 92 tackles, six sacks and 19 quarterback hurries the previous two seasons.

DE Marlin Dean, Georgia State

Highly coveted recruit after playing for Elbert County High in Georgia for three seasons and spending his final high school season at IMG Academy. Signed with Georgia out of high school and had two tackles in his lone game before redshirting. Followed with two years at Butler Community College, where he earned Kansas Jayhawk Conference honors in 2023 after contributing 25 tackles, seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Played in in nine games in 2024 at Utah State and 11 games this past season at Georgia State. Had 32 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and safety in 11 games.

DE Colby Archie, Dodge City CC

Known as “The Face” because he paints his face to look like “The Joker” on game day. The Jackson, Miss. native, who graduated from Jackson Academy, played a significant role in his past two seasons in junior college. Had 21 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 10 games during the 2024 season. Last season, he had 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry in eight games. Should have two years of eligibility remaining.

DE Blanche Gold, Morgan State

Intriguing edge rusher, who spent the past four seasons at Morgan State. Had an All-MEAC season in 2025, contributing 50 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 12 games. Had a season-high eight tackles, including two tackles for loss, in the season opener at South Alabama. Played in 15 games during his first three seasons with five tackles and two tackles for loss. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Landover, Maryland native had 14 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles as a senior at C.H. Flowers High. As a senior, he was part of a 4X200 team that finished second and a 4X100 team that finished third in the Adidas National Championships.

DE Tylin Jackson, Eastern Washington

Showed up at Eastern Washington as a 210-pound edge rusher filled with potential. Leaves as a productive 260-pound defensive end with 55 tackles, 3.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss in 26 games over three seasons. Jackson, who graduated from Federal Way high in Washington, only played two seasons of high school football.

LB Shaun Myers, Colorado

The former UNA linebacker will close out his college career at UAB. Myers, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound Dayton, Ohio native, spent one year in junior college before coming to UNA. Over three seasons with the Lions, he had 105 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two pass breakups in 24 games. He missed all but two games in 2024 because of a season-ending injury. Myers started four games in his 12 appearances at Colorado and contributed 36 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one pass breakup.

LB Ike Esonwune, Oklahoma State

Spent the past three seasons at Oklahoma State with a redshirt in 2023. The 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker had 31 tackles in 12 games with the Cowboys in 2025. The Austin, Texas native had 121 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and four sacks in his final two seasons at Manor High. Follows former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Todd Grantham to UAB.

LB Muaaz Byard, Middle Tennessee

The 6-foot, 232-pound inside linebacker is coming off his best season. Contributed 37 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and an interception in eight games. He missed four games with injuries. In 2024, Byard had 20 tackles while playing in 20 games with one start. His brother, Kevin, is a former Middle Tennessee standout, who is now a Pro Bowl safety for the Chicago Bears.

LB Mantrez Walker, Colorado

Played in four games during his true freshman season at Colorado. Most of the playing time for the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Walker came on special teams but he did get two snaps at linebacker. Was a standout play at Buford (GA) High, helping his team advance to at least the 7A quarterfinals in his final three varsity seasons. Buford finished 12-2 and played in the 7A semifinals during his senior year. As a senior, he had 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. As a junior, he had 54 tackles, three tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.

LB Braden Sullivan, Eastern Kentucky

Was a playmaking linebacker in two seasons at EKU and another at Highlands Community College. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound New Smyrna Beach, Fla. native had 92 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in 2024 for an EKU team that advanced to the FCS playoffs. He had 17 tackles against Southern Utah. Last season, Sullivan had 79 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and pass breakup. He had 82 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and a fumble in an all-conference season at Highland CC. He had 128 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions as a senior at New Smyrna High.

CB Draden Fullbright, Oklahoma State

Played in four games during his true freshman season at Oklahoma State. Was credited with two tackles on the season with both coming against Texas Tech. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound played at four high schools in two states. He played two seasons in Georgia and two seasons in Texas. His final season was at North Crowley High in Terrell, Texas. Fullbright played on both sides of the ball in high school.

CB Darrell Sweeting, Marshall

Sweeting spent two seasons at Temple and played at Marshall in 2025. He played in eight games over two seasons at Temple and was credited with a pair of tackles. Last season, the 6-foot, 182-pound Sweeting, who is from West Palm Beach, had 37 tackles, one interception, one sack and a tackle for loss in 12 games with one start at Marshall. Sweeting was a four-year letterman at The Benjamin School. He allowed just one completion during his senior year in high school.

CB Que Billingsley, Gardner Webb

Billingsley returns to Alabama after spending two seasons at Kennesaw State and another at Gardner Webb. The Central Phenix City graduate played in two games during a redshirt season at Kennesaw State in 2023 and play with 11 games with eight starts in 2024. He had 34 tackles and three pass breakups as a redshirt freshman. Billingsley had 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception and eight pass breakups at Gardner Webb last season. Billingsley had 54.5 tackles and seven interception in his final two high school seasons.

CB/S Jeremiah Jordan, Memphis

At 6-foot-2, 200-pounds the Memphis native is a physical and versatile defensive back. Played nickel corner, cornerback and safety for Memphis this past season. Finished with 19 tackles and six pass breakups and had an 83.9 tackling grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Began his college career at Harding University, which is one of the top Division II programs in the country. Helped Harding win the national title in 2023, contributing four tackles and a pass breakup in the championship game. Harding lost to Ferris State and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in the 2024 national championship game. Jordan had four pass breakups against Ferris State. Played in 29 games with 22 starts after redshirting in 2022.

CB Anta’veon McKenzie, Oklahoma State

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound safety spent three seasons at FCS member Sacramento State. Over the three seasons, he played in 28 games, including a pair of FCS playoff games in 2023. He played in 22 games over the past two seasons and had 85 tackles. He played in the secondary this past season with former UAB cornerback Ricky Lee III. McKenzie had seven tackles in each FCS playoff game in 2023.

CB Guylijah Theodule, Southern Miss

Theodule is a speedy 6-foot-2, 175-pound cornerback, who played for one season each at Marshall and Southern Miss. The Miami native, who was a three-star prospect out of Northwestern High, played in five games in each season. He was credited with one tackle in 2024 and three tackles last season at Southern Miss. Was part of a Sun Belt Championship team at Marshall. Theodule ran a 10.69 100-meter dash in high school.

CB Courage Ugo, Utah State

Ugo, who is from Richmond, Texas, played in three games over two seasons at Utah State. He spent two seasons at Blinn Junior College in Texas, where he played in 18 games. He had 20 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions in his second junior college season. Had 70 tackles, six tackles for loss, 20 pass breakups, two interceptions and two blocked kicks while playing at Foster High. His brother, Justice, played collegiately at Houston and Texas Southern.

CB Elijah Pratt, SMU

Spent his first college season at SMU but did not play in a game. Pratt played in at Mansfield (Texas) High for his first three high school seasons. He played at IMG Academy in his final season and was a consensus 3-star prospect. Had a high jump personal best of 6-foot-8 as a high school sophomore, according to 247 Sports.

S Jo Pierce, Oklahoma State

Was part of an important part of a Montgomery Catholic team that won back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024. The two-time all-state defensive back helped lead a defense that allowed 73 points in 2023 and 92 points in 2024, according to ASHFHS.org, and had 16 shutouts over two seasons. The 2023 team had shutouts in the Class 5A semifinals and championship game. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound safety did not play in his freshman season at Oklahoma State.

S Jaylen Thompson, Memphis

Spent the 2025 season at Memphis but did not play in a game. Made an impact at Michigan State as a true freshman with six appearances and starts in the final three games of the season. He had 17 tackles and one pass breakup. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Murfreesboro, Tenn. native was a standout two-way player (safety and wide receiver) at Riverdale High. He had six interceptions a senior and returned three of those for a touchdown. He had three interceptions as a junior. Should have three years of eligibility remaining.

S Kris “Koko” Wokomah, Baylor

Played in five games over the past two seasons at Baylor. He was credited with two tackles in 2024 and one tackle this past season. The 6-foot, 189-pound safety was a consensus three-star prospect out of Arlington (Texas) Bowie High. He was credited with 119 tackles in three years as a starter at Bowie High. His best season came in 2022 when he had 67 tackles, an interception an 10 pass breakups. Should have three years of eligibility remaining.

S Diezel Wilkinson, Montana

Coming off an outstanding season in his lone year at Montana. The 6-foot, 195-pound safety had 78 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three quarterback hurries and three pass breakups for a team that finished 13-2 and lost to eventual champion Montana State in the FCS playoff semifinals. Wilkinson had eight tackles in the semifinal loss. Played 12 games as a true freshman at Idaho, contributing 14 tackles. He was a two-way standout at East Valley High in Spokane, Wash. Wilkinson had more than 5,000 all-purpose yards and 46 touchdowns during his high school career.

P Badger Hargett, LSU

Joined the LSU program as a walk-on in 2024. Did not record a punt in his two seasons with the Tigers. Hargett was ranked as the

Ranked as the nation’s No.5 prep punter as a senior at Ascencion Episcopal in Lafayette, La. by Kohl’s Kicking Camp. Was also a Class 2A all-state punter as a senior and three-time all district punter.