Calvin Pitcher transfers to UAB from Idaho State

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - January 9, 2024

Technically, Calvin Pitcher is coming to UAB to play a new position. The Southern California product, who played the past four seasons at Idaho State, has spent his football life lined up at safety.

However, this transition should come smoothly.

“I mean, I've been a downhill safety since I've been playing,” Pitcher said. “I’ve been hearing it for the last (several years), since high school. Every (defensive coordinator) has told me, like, you might be a linebacker. It really hasn’t happened yet. I’m really am excited for this.”

Turn on a highlight tape of the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Pitcher and it’s easy to see the belief that he can play linebacker. During his four seasons at Idaho State, Pitcher had 185 tackles in 34 games. His best season came in 2023 when he was a second team All-Big Sky selection after compiling 87 tackles, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception. This past season, Pitcher had 20 tackles in four games before a lower body injury ended his season.

“I've had a pretty unique position in these last two years at Idaho State, where I did a lot of hybrid responsibilities,” said Pitcher, who played in high school at Corona Centennial, which is one of the top high school programs in California. “I did coverage like a safety, but still had the responsibilities to fill a gap like a linebacker. So, being able to have that versatile skill set, I think, helped me tremendously as far as my growth as a football player. You know, I'm excited to see the transition as I'm moving to the box at linebacker at UAB.”

Pitcher said he had offers from New Mexico, Montana State, Utah State and UAB during the recruiting process. The revamped defensive coaching staff, which has a NFL flavor, was a big part of his decision.

“What made UAB so appealing was the coaching,” Pitcher said. “Coming in there with (linebacker coach Brent Vieselmeyer) and the other coaches. I think they have the platform and the opportunity for me to maximize my final year and reach my potential. That level of expertise, when you have people (who have coached) at the highest level for a long time, bringing that value only helps the level a player can grow.”

Pitcher said the opportunity for playing time at a position that was gutted by graduation and the transfer portal was also a factor. If you judge the returnees by tackles during the 2024 season, Tylan McNichols, who had 19 tackles in 12 games as a true freshman, is the most experienced returnee at linebacker. 

“It was a conversation,” said Pitcher, who is a graduate transfer after finishing his degree in business management at Idaho State. “When you have one final year to play, your main objective is to get on the field. I think they did a good job communicating that and kind of showing me how I would fit into the system and how I would fit into the program and culture.”

Pitcher said he took his official visit this past Sunday and Monday and will fly back to Birmingham this weekend to get ready for classes to start on Monday. He is the at least the eighth confirmed transfer portal or junior college addition but the Blazers are thought to have several more that are not yet public commitments or signees. The confirmed group includes running back Jevon Jackson (UTEP), defensive backs Josh Baka (Kent State) and Jalen Cheek (Boston College), wide receivers Kaleb Brown (Iowa) and Evan McCray (Wingate), defensive end JaMichael Rogers (Miles College) and offensive lineman Deivi Martinez (Dodge City Community College). Former Maryland cornerback Perry Fisher is listed on On3 Sports as a UAB commitment.