FLORENCE, Ala. (December 3, 2025) – The University of North Alabama participated in the college football early signing period this week, as the newest wave of Lions were announced throughout the day on Wednesday as part of 2026 National Signing Day. More players will be announced throughout the offseason.
On Wednesday's signing period, the Lions added 15 players. The group includes 14 freshmen and one transfer from the NCAA Division III level.
Of the group, 10 are in-state players from Alabama. The Lions also added players from North Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee and Michigan. The player from North Carolina — quarterback Conner Lindsey — was originally born in Florence, Alabama and is the son of current Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.
The Lions added nine offensive players, five defensive players and one specialist in this wave of signees. This includes a quarterback, a running back, three wide receivers, two tight ends, two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, three defensive backs and a long snapper.
Fans can visit this web page throughout the 2026 signing period for more information about each UNA signee as they become official. Fans are also encouraged to follow along on social media using the hashtag #ThePrideof26 on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Conner Lindsey — QB — Freshman — Chapel Hill, N.C. — Cardinal Gibbons High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Cardinal Gibbons High School … Coached by Steven Wright … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is July 21 … Comes to UNA from Chapel Hill, N.C. … Originally from Florence, Ala. ... Son of Chip and Cecily Lindsey ... Has three siblings — Cooper, Caroline and Claire … His mother, Cecily, graduated from North Alabama in 1999 ... His father, Chip, played football at UNA from 1992-93 and went on to a successful coaching career that included local high schools in the Shoals before becoming the head coach at Troy in 2019 ... Chip is currently the offensive coordinator at Michigan ... Conner has moved 16 times in his life ... Anticipated major is Business with a minor in Pre-Law.
Davis Shumaker — OL — Freshman — Huntsville, Ala. — Huntsville High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Huntsville High School … Coached by Jimmy Gay … Also lettered in basketball … Named team captain for the Panthers ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is January 21 … Hometown is Huntsville, Ala. … Son of Christopher and Shanna Shumaker ... Has three siblings — Mackenzie, Hattie and Virginia ... Father, Christopher, graduated from North Alabama in 2002 ... His uncle, Steve Woodard, pitched for the Brewers, Guardians, Rangers and Red Sox in the MLB … Memphis Grizzlies fan and enjoys roller coasters ... Anticipated major is Business.
Jesse Thomas — OL — Freshman — Holtville, Ala. — Holtville High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Holtville High School … Coached by Cory Lee … Also lettered in basketball and indoor track … Earned recognition as the most improved offensive lineman ... Earned All-Region and All-County honors as a Bulldog … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is March 9 … Hometown is Holtville, Ala. … Son of Tim Thomas and Mary Cousins ... Has one sibling, Catie … Anticipated major is Business.
Cates Blackmon — TE — Freshman — Enterprise, Ala. — Enterprise High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Enterprise High School … Coached by his father, Ben Blackmon … Also lettered in track ... Played quarterback, tight end, long snapper and defensive end for the Wildcats ... Named All-State and All-Region three times ... Leadership council and National Junior Honor Society for Enterprise ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is December 3 … Hometown is Enterprise, Ala. … Son of Ben and Misty Blackmon ... Has three siblings — Mary, Elle and Lotte … Father, Ben, played quarterback at Troy, while his cousin played quarterback at Samford ... Anticipated major is Business.
Dashaun Pope — DL — Freshman — Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Hillcrest High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Hillcrest High School … Coached by Jamie Mitchell … Helped lead the Patriots to back-to-back undefeated seasons ... Earned a nomination for the best defensive lineman at the 7A level in Alabama ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is February 16 … Hometown is Tuscaloosa, Ala. … Son of Lewis Pope ... Anticipated major is Business with a focus in Sport Science.
Ja'Marcus "JD" Daniel — DB — Freshman — Roanoke, Ala. — Handley High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Handley High School … Coached by Chris White … Finished with over 1,000 all-purpose yards for the Tigers ... Scored 13 touchdowns and had three interceptions during his career ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 7 … Hometown is Roanoke, Ala. … Son of Robert Daniel and Thaiwan Huffman … Enjoys singing ... A member of his family, Devontae Houston, plays for ETSU ... Anticipated major is Exercise Science.
Ezra Powell — LS — Freshman — Dyersburg, Tenn. — Dyer County High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Dyer County High School … Coached by Justin Dubruiel … Named a team captain for the Choctaws ... Earned a 4.5 star rating from LS Rubio Long Snapping ... 157 career tackles ... Member of the Max Prep 300+ Defensive Points Club ... Played in the Next Level Football Classic ... Honor Roll student ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is March 15 … Hometown is Dyersburg, Tenn. … Son of John and Holly Powell and has two siblings, Joanna and Jotham … Enjoys tractors ... Father, John, played at Lambuth University ... Anticipated major is Education/Coaching.
Ethan Abberger— WR — Transfer — Hudsonville, Mich. — Holland Christian High School — Adrian College
PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played wide receiver at Adrian College in Michigan ... Led his team to an 8-2 record while playing in the MIAA Conference at the NCAA Division III level ... Coached by Joe Palka for the 2024 and 2025 seasons ... Saw action in 20 games across two seasons ... Earned time primarily at wide receiver, but saw reps as a running back, punt returner and kick returner ... Totaled 16 touchdowns for the Bulldogs ... Had three 100-yard games and two 200-yard games as a senior, including 13 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns in his final game.
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Holland Christian High School … Coached by his father, Dave Abberger … Lettered in baseball ... Named All-State for the Maroons ... Broke the school record for receptions in a season ... Graduated in 2023.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 7 … Hometown is Roanoke, Ala. … Son of Robert Dave and Danisse Abberger … Enjoys golfing ... Father, Dave Abberger, played for the Saginaw Sting of the Arena Football League ... Anticipated major is Business.
AJ Alexander — RB — Freshman — Dothan, Ala. — Dothan High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Dothan High School in Alabama … Coached by Jed Kennedy … Played multiple skill positions with primary duties at running back and wide receiver … Was the 7A rushing leader for the whole state of Alabama with 1,786 yards as a senior in 2025 … Scored 27 touchdowns as a senior … Also led all of 7A in 2024 with 1,519 rushing yards … Set school records at Dothan both seasons, breaking his own record in 2025 … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 23 … Originally from Georgia … Hometown is Dothan, Alabama … Son of Ashely Kee … Has one older brother … Enjoys fishing … Anticipated major is Sport Management.
Jalin Trotter — WR — Freshman — Meridian, Miss. — The Lamar School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at The Lamar School in Meridian, Mississippi … Coached by Jacob Land … Played wide receiver and defensive back for the Raiders at the Class 4A level … Won the Class 4A-D3 Midsouth Association of Independent Schools State Championship in 2025 … Was the State Championship MVP with a touchdown catch, a pick-six and forced fumble … Also lettered in basketball and track … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is February 19 … From Meridian, Mississippi … Son of Brenarda Scarbrough and Russell Trotter … Has nine siblings — Christopher Webb, Alyssa Scarbrough, Kingston Trotter, Kristina Scarbrough, Frankie Scarbrough, Elijah Trotter, Marcellus Scarbrough, Trenton Trotter and Christopher Trotter … Enjoys baking … Considers himself to be a reserved personality … Anticipated major is Business.
Taygan Harris — DL — Freshman — Scottsboro, Ala. — Scottsboro High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Scottsboro High School in Alabama … Coached by Tyler Vann … Played defensive line for the Wildcats … Won his region's Lineman of the Year award … All-Region and All-State at the Class 5A level … Won all-region every season with an honorable mention as a freshman … Won back-to-back region championships … Set the school's sack record … Also lettered in basketball and track … Won a state championship in track & field … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is October 18 … Born in Huntsville, Alabama … Hometown is Scottsboro, Alabama … Son of Pamellia Williamson … Has two siblings — Colby and Aniyah … Has a cousin, Aaliyah Scott-Sexton, who graduated from UNA in 2023 … Has a lot of family in the college basketball world, including his uncle Eugene Harris who played at Florida State and coached at the high-major level, his aunt Shantae Harris Smith who played at Snead State, his cousin Kelcey Scott at West Florida and another cousin, Eric Scott, at Southern Miss … Anticipated major is Cyber Security.
DJ Hines — WR — Freshman — Opp, Ala. — Opp High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Opp High School in Alabama … Coached by Ed Rigby … Played wide receiver, strong safety and cornerback for the Bobcats … Racked up over 1,500 receiving yards over his career, including 700+ yard seasons as a junior and senior ... Led Opp to a 9-2 season in 2025 ... Also lettered in basketball … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is July 6 … Born in Andalusia, Alabama … Hometown is Opp, Alabama … Son of Devon and Kenya Hines … Has one sibling — Sa'Niyah … Related to former Vanderbilt defensive back BJ Anderson … Anticipated major is Business Management.
Christopher Leatherwood Jr. — DB — Freshman — Prichard, Ala. — Mattie T. Blount High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Mattie T. Blount High School in Alabama … Coached by Ramon Nelson … Played wide receiver and defensive back at the Class 6A level for the Leopards ... Also lettered in track … Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is November 29 ... Born in Mobile, Alabama ... From Prichard, Alabama ... Son of Lynetrice McCants and Christopher Leatherwood Sr. ... Has one sibling — Shakedria ... Anticipated major is Sports Medicine.
Samuel Swinney — TE — Freshman — Florence, Ala. — Mars Hill Bible School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped locally at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence ... Coached by Darrell Higgins ... First Team All-State, All-Region and All-Area defensive tackle and right tackle for the Panthers ... Led the Panthers to the 2024 and 2025 AHSAA State Championship Game and won both times ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is March 23 ... From Florence, Alabama ... Son of Casey and Alicia Cooper ... Has three siblings — Mason, Marykatherine and Saylor ... His uncle is Brett Borden, who played football at UNA and went on to coach the Lions as an assistant for many years ... His brother, Mason, played baseball at Alabama and Dallas Baptist and is now a senior at North Greenville ... Major is undecided.
Xai Gilbert — DB — Freshman — Adairsville, Ga. — Adairsville High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Adairsville High School in Georgia ... Coached by Jon Cudd ... Played linebacker and safety for the Tigers at the 3A level ... Two-time first team all-region selection ... Also lettered in basketball and track ... Graduation year is 2026.
PERSONAL: Birthday is August 22 ... Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee ... Comes to UNA from Adairsville, Georgia ... Son of Jillian Gilbert ... Has two siblings — Jordan and Junior ... His cousin is NFL linebacker Vic Beasley, who also prepped at Adairsville High School before going to Clemson ... Anticipated major is Sport Management.
