The Florida offensive lineman chose UAB because of relationships, but years of varsity experience and an intentional approach to development may ultimately define his future in Birmingham.
Image Credit: UAB Athletics (Shared by Bryce Daniels on social media)
Recruiting Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Interior Offensive Line (Center / Guard) |
| Height / Weight | 6’3″, 320 lbs. |
| High School | Buchholz High School (Gainesville, Fla.) |
| Class | 2027 |
| Recruiting Rating | ⭐⭐⭐ On3 • 247Sports |
| Division I Offers | 16 reported Division I offers |
| First Division I Offer | Florida Atlantic (8th grade) |
| Official Visits | UAB (only official visit) |
| Primary Recruiter | Matt McCants |
| Early Enrollee | Expected to enroll in December 2026 |
| Experience | • First eighth grader to start on varsity at Keystone Heights High School • Four-year varsity starter • Experience at center and guard with the versatility to play all three interior offensive line positions. |
A Recruitment Built on Relationships
Bryce Daniels didn’t travel to Birmingham looking for a school to convince him.
He arrived looking for confirmation.
“Going into the weekend, I thought I was going to do it,” Daniels told Blazer Victory. “Just having them around me all weekend, the hospitality they showed me, I just loved it.”
That decision concluded a recruitment that accelerated throughout the spring.
Daniels’ recruiting journey began much earlier than most.
He picked up his first Division I scholarship offer from Florida Atlantic as an eighth grader before adding offers from UCF and Appalachian State during his freshman year. His recruitment accelerated again throughout the spring, with schools including Middle Tennessee, Georgia State, East Carolina, Navy and Bowling Green joining the mix.
Although UAB publicly extended an offer on April 22, Daniels said his relationship with offensive line coach Matt McCants began weeks earlier.
Those conversations continued throughout the spring before bringing Daniels to Birmingham for what became his only official visit.
“It was my only OV. I was supposed to have another one or two, but I had never set the date because I already felt like I was going to commit.”
Daniels said he always intended to make his college decision before his senior season began so he could focus entirely on football.
That approach reflected advice from his father, a former offensive line coach who now works in football recruiting.
“He just told me to go wherever the best fit was and the best connection.”
For Daniels, the official visit confirmed what months of conversations had already suggested: UAB was the right fit.
Years in the Making
Bryce Daniels had already spent years competing against varsity players before his recruitment accelerated.
He became the first eighth grader in Keystone Heights High School history to start on the varsity football team, exposing him to older competition at an unusually young age.
His path wasn’t without adversity.
A broken leg ended his sophomore season before he transferred to Bradford High School, where the presence of multiple Division I prospects naturally attracted more college coaches to practice.
“At Keystone, I was really the only kid getting recruited. At Bradford, there were multiple kids getting recruited, so coaches stayed around practice longer.”
Following another coaching change, he transferred to Buchholz High School for his senior season, believing it offered the best opportunity to continue preparing for college football.
That same mindset continues to shape how he approaches the game.
After spending most of his career at center before moving to right guard last season, Daniels said UAB has already discussed preparing him at all three interior offensive line positions.
“They want me to kind of play all three interior. I think that’ll help me develop very well at all the positions.”
“The more positions you can play, the more valuable you are.”
That versatility is something Daniels actively embraces.
He’s also realistic about the areas of his game he still wants to improve.
“I’ve always been more of a run blocker. I’ve been working on pass blocking more, but I’ve always been a better run blocker.”
Asked what UAB fans should watch for on his senior film this fall, Daniels didn’t mention accolades or recruiting rankings.
He mentioned one opponent.
Lakeland.
One of Florida’s perennial high school football powers.
“Even watching my spring game film, you can tell that. We went against Lakeland… you can see what happened.”
Then he described exactly how he hopes people remember his style of play.
“My physicality. If I know I’m better than you, I’m going to run through you.”
That mindset is exactly what shows up on Daniels’ film.
Image Credit: UAB Athletics (Shared by Bryce Daniels on social media)
Film Review with Darion Smith
Former UAB captain and Blazer Victory co-host Darion Smith independently studies every commitment before offering his evaluation.
“When I listened to your interview with Bryce, a lot of what he talked about matched exactly what I saw on film. If there’s one offensive lineman in this class that I think has a chance to come in and compete early, it’s Bryce. Offensive line is one of the hardest positions for a true freshman to play, but if there was one guy who could do it, he’d be the one.
The biggest reason is that he’s the most polished offensive lineman in this class. Everybody else has talent and a lot of potential, but they still have some work to do. With Bryce, you can tell the level of competition he’s playing against. You can tell he’s winning against good players. You can tell how in sync that offensive line is and what kind of program he’s been a part of. Everything matches up.
I went back and watched his film all the way to when he was in the eighth grade starting on varsity. That’s impressive by itself, but what really stood out was seeing an eighth grader physically moving varsity players. I don’t care what classification you’re playing in—that’s hard to do. He’s been immersed in good football for a long time.
Then you look at the physical side of it. I saw he benched 225 pounds 27 times. I never benched 225 twenty-seven times. He’s a big, physical guy. But what I like even more than the physicality is the professionalism he’s been exposed to. He’s been recruited for a long time. He’s adapting to college concepts already. He’s enrolling early. He plays a brand of football that looks professional.
If I were talking directly to Bryce, my advice would be simple: come in and try to take somebody’s spot. You have the strength. You’ve played against good competition. You’ve been exposed to high-level football for years. The other offensive linemen in this class probably need a year or two before they’re ready. Bryce has a chance to compete because of how developed his body is, how low he plays and how much football he’s already experienced.
That’s why he reminds me of Chris Burge. Not because they’re identical players, but because I get those same vibes. Bryce is an important piece of this recruiting class, and I think he has a chance to surprise people earlier than most offensive linemen do.”
What It Means for UAB
Offensive line has quickly become one of the strengths of UAB’s 2027 recruiting class.
Daniels joined an increasingly deep group of offensive line commitments that already includes Kaiden McKenzie and Messiah Mack, giving offensive line coach Matt McCants an early foundation to build around.
Although each prospect arrived through a different recruiting journey, together they reflect a common emphasis on size, physicality and long-term development.
McKenzie committed early in the recruiting cycle.
Mack flipped his commitment from Georgia State after UAB entered his recruitment late.
Daniels committed following his lone official visit after spending several months building relationships with McCants and the rest of the coaching staff.
Since Daniels announced his commitment, UAB has continued adding talent to its offensive line class, further reinforcing the staff’s emphasis on building the position group early.
The timing is also noteworthy.
Entering the 2026 season, UAB returns experience across much of its projected offensive line, with Payton Kirkland, Calib Perez, Adam Lepkowski and Kyrik Mason expected to anchor the unit while Barry Walker, Cooper Young and Donovan Lawrence continue competing for playing time.
That experience, however, won’t last forever.
Perez, Lepkowski and Mason are all entering what is widely expected to be their final season of eligibility, creating the possibility of significant turnover along the offensive line after the season.
Daniels isn’t expected to step into Birmingham and immediately replace experienced veterans. But his early enrollment, years of varsity experience and ability to play multiple interior positions should give him an opportunity to accelerate his development and compete sooner than many freshman offensive linemen.
How quickly that opportunity comes will ultimately be determined on the practice field.
For now, UAB has added another offensive lineman who appears intent on preparing himself before that opportunity arrives.
Looking Ahead
Daniels now turns his attention toward his senior season at Buchholz High School, where he’ll pursue a state championship before enrolling at UAB in December.
His work for the Blazers has already started.
Daniels said he’s remained in contact with fellow offensive line commitments Kaiden McKenzie and Messiah Mack while also reaching out to prospects considering UAB.
“Every time I see someone post about an official visit or an offer, I’ll hit them up.”
For a recruiting class that continues to emphasize relationships and peer-to-peer recruiting, Daniels has already embraced a role beyond simply being a future player. He’s helping sell the vision of what Alex Mortensen’s staff is building in Birmingham.
Final Question
When your college career is over, how do you hope UAB fans remember you?
“That I was great around the community. And I help the Blazers win a lot… conference championship. Stuff like that. Because I believe we can.”
It’s a fitting answer for a player whose recruitment consistently centered on relationships, development and finding the right fit rather than chasing the biggest offer.
Daniels believed UAB was the right fit, both on the field and off it.
If his college career unfolds the way he hopes, Blazer fans may remember him for much more than positional versatility. They may remember him as another foundational piece in the offensive line room Alex Mortensen and Matt McCants are building for the future.
UAB 2027 Commitments
- Kaiden McKenzie, 6’4″ 330 OL from Brookwood HS (GA)
- Bryce Daniels, 6’3″ 320 OL from Buchholz High School (FL)
- Dai’jon Hayes, 6’0 175 WR from Tift County High School (GA)
- Jordan Shambley, 6’3″ 185 QB from Hillcrest High School (AL)
- Jshawn Jinks, 6’4″ 330 DT from Georgia Military College (GA)
- Israel Prince-Oyakhire, 6’2″ 190 DB from Shiloh HS (GA)
- Messiah Mack, 6’5″ 298 OL from Coffee HS (GA)
- Calvin “CJ” Brooks, 6’5″ 320 OL from Gaffney HS (SC)
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