Decatur Native Signs with Blazers and Other UAB Recruiting News

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - January 7, 2024

Jevon Jackson is returning to his home state to finish out his college football career. The Decatur, Alabama native signed with UAB on Tuesday and is set to begin classes next week.

The 5-foot-8, 205-pound running back spent three seasons at Austin Peay University before following his head coach Scotty Walden to UTEP last season. His final college season will be played in Birmingham.

“UAB was one of my best options,” Jackson said. “You know, with the coaching staff and the culture here that is being built, especially with the NFL experience. I felt like it was the best place for me (and) for my goals, which is to play at the next level.”

Jackson has shined at every level he’s played. He was an all-state selection at Austin High after rushing for 1,166 yards with 16 touchdowns, adding 193 yards receiving and scoring on two kickoff returns as a senior in 2020. He originally committed to Georgia State after high school but that fell through.

“When I went through that process, that was the COVID year,” Jackson said. “They had a senior running back that wanted to come back for another year. For those years, when people decided to come back, they were taking scholarships from high school guys like me. I actually was in that situation where I felt like they weren’t being completely clear with me on where I stood with the program.”

He chose instead to attend Austin Peay, where he sat behind a pair of experienced running backs as a true freshman.  In 2022, as a redshirt freshman, he rushed for 572 yards and scored four touchdowns. His rushing total led all Ohio Valley Conference freshmen. In 2023, he rushed for 1,137 yards with 10 touchdowns and scored another touchdown on one of his 11 receptions. He was the first Austin Peay running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark since 2011 and his rushing total was the third highest in program history. Jackson was selected second team All-America by FCS Football Central and third team All-America by Stats Perform.

Last season, he started nine of UTEP’s 12 games and led the team with 754 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Jackson, who was a team captain, also had 16 catches for 99 yards with two touchdowns. His best game came against FIU when he rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown and added a 22-yard touchdown reception. 

Now, he’s preparing for his final college football chapter.

“I wouldn't necessarily say it's sense of urgency,” said Jackson, who played alongside Samford quarterback Quincy Crittendon at Austin High. “I just understand that this is the move that has to put me over the hump. Like I said, that's the goal for me, to go to the NFL. So, ot necessarily this urgency, because I'm a God-fearing man and I know that God has different things for me to go through. I feel like this is the last trial and tribulation for me. I'm going to have to keep my faith going into this season and keep my faith around this whole process. I understand that this is the best decision for me, I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't.”

In other recent UAB recruiting news:

*Offensive lineman Deivi Martinez committed to the Blazers on Monday. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound offensive tackle played this past season at Dodge City Community College in Kansas after previously playing at Ellsworth (Iowa) CC.

*Defensive backs Josh Baka (Kent State) and Jalen Cheek (Boston College) committed to UAB. The 6-foot-1,205-pound Baka played  in 24 games over three seasons at Kent State, contributing 118 tackles, seven pass deflections and a fumble recovery. The Ottawa, Ontario native, who is expected to play safety, had a team-high 90 tackles this past season. He redshirted in 2022 after playing in three games. Cheek, a New Jersey native, who is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, was part of the Boston College program for four years. He played in a combined six games in 2021 and 2022, redshirting his first season, before becoming part of the secondary rotation in 2023. He had 23 tackles and three pass breakups while playing in 10 games with four starts in 2023. Most of his action came on special teams this past season but he did have an interception to go with six tackles. Cheek played cornerback, nickel and safety during his time at Boston College.

*Former UAB safety Adrian Maddox flipped his commitment from Florida to Georgia and signed with the Bulldogs on Tuesday. Maddox, who played at Alabama State before spending a season with UAB, had 44 tackles for the Blazers.

*Kickoff specialist Noah Grant announced he is signing with FIU. Grant spent one season with the Blazers.