BIRMINGHAM – UAB received its first quarterback commitment in the 2027 recruiting class on Monday when Jordan Shambley announced his decision to play for the Blazers.
Shambley, a 6’3″ 185-pound quarterback from Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, chose UAB over a growing offer list that included Marshall, Liberty, UMass, Samford, Austin Peay, Troy, North Alabama, Jackson State, Southern Illinois, and West Alabama.
The rising senior becomes an important early addition for the Blazers as UAB continues to build its 2027 recruiting class. Quarterbacks often serve as the foundation of a recruiting class, helping establish relationships with other prospects throughout the recruiting process.
UAB entered Shambley’s recruitment relatively late but moved quickly. The Blazers extended an offer on June 11, one day after Shambley led Hillcrest to a championship at UAB’s 7-on-7 tournament in Birmingham. He returned to campus later that weekend for his official visit before announcing his commitment on June 15.
According to reports, Shambley was also scheduled to take official visits to Marshall and UMass before making his college decision.
Recruiting Timeline
Shambley’s recruitment took a significant step forward following his first season as a varsity starter at Hillcrest.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2025 | Receives first reported offer from Jackson State |
| June 10, 2025 | Receives offer from North Alabama |
| June 19, 2025 | Receives offer from Troy |
| May 4, 2026 | Receives offer from Marshall |
| May 7, 2026 | Receives offer from West Alabama |
| May 8, 2026 | Receives offer from Liberty |
| May 12, 2026 | Receives offer from Samford |
| May 14, 2026 | Receives offer from Austin Peay |
| May 21, 2026 | Receives offer from Southern Illinois |
| May 26, 2026 | Receives offer from UMass |
| June 10, 2026 | Leads Hillcrest to championship at UAB’s 7-on-7 tournament |
| June 11, 2026 | Receives offer from UAB |
| June 13-14, 2026 | Takes official visit to UAB |
| June 15, 2026 | Commits to UAB |
After holding just three reported offers entering May of 2026, Shambley’s recruitment accelerated quickly. Over the next several weeks, programs from multiple conferences entered the mix before UAB ultimately secured his commitment just four days after extending an offer.
Productive First Year on Varsity
Although Shambley has been a starting quarterback for several years, the 2025 season marked his first year as a varsity starter at Hillcrest.
According to Shambley, he threw for approximately 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 8 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. His production helped lead the Patriots to a 6-4 record and sparked a recruiting surge that saw him add seven offers during a 22-day stretch this spring.
With another year of varsity experience ahead of him, Shambley’s best football may still be in front of him.
Why UAB Prioritized Shambley
There are several reasons why this commitment is significant for the Blazers.
First, Shambley becomes UAB’s first quarterback commitment in the 2027 class. Securing a quarterback early in a recruiting cycle is often important because quarterbacks naturally become leaders and ambassadors for a class, helping build relationships with other prospects.
Second, Shambley fits the recruiting philosophy the UAB coaching staff has repeatedly emphasized since arriving in Birmingham. Coaches have discussed the importance of recruiting Alabama and targeting prospects within a 500-mile radius of campus. Landing a quarterback from Tuscaloosa represents another example of that approach.
Finally, UAB appears to have identified a prospect whose recruitment was trending upward. After receiving seven offers in a 22-day span during May, Shambley’s stock continued to rise heading into his senior season.
An Interesting Recruiting Connection
One interesting aspect of Shambley’s recruitment involves his long-standing relationship with Raising Champions, the official quarterback training partner of the Polynesian Bowl.
The organization is operated by Galu Tagovailoa, father of former Alabama quarterback and current NFL starter Tua Tagovailoa. Shambley has trained with Raising Champions for several years and has frequently attended camps and training events with the organization.
While no direct connection has been publicly discussed, the relationship is noteworthy considering UAB head coach Alex Mortensen was on staff at Alabama during Tua Tagovailoa’s career in Tuscaloosa. Whether that connection played a role or not, it highlights another interesting layer in Shambley’s recruitment.
Film Review with Darion Smith
Blazer Victory co-host and former UAB center Darion Smith watched Shambley’s film and came away impressed with what he saw.
“The first thing that jumps out is the zip on the football. Shambley has good arm strength and can make every throw on the field. His delivery may be a little lower than ideal at times, but his release is quick and smooth.
For a high school quarterback, his mechanics are very polished. He throws accurately under pressure, delivers the ball well on the move, and shows the ability to fit passes into tight windows over the middle. He also throws a very good deep ball.
What impressed me most is how poised he looks. The game doesn’t appear too fast for him and he seems comfortable operating within the structure of the offense.
As a runner, he has good speed and mobility. There are still areas where he can improve, particularly learning how to set up blocks, run with more patience, and protect himself, but the athletic tools are definitely there.
One thing I’d like to see more of is his ability to create when a play breaks down. Hillcrest’s offense appears to be heavily timing-based, which is both a positive and a negative from an evaluation standpoint. On one hand, it shows discipline and the ability to execute the offense exactly as designed. On the other hand, there aren’t many opportunities on film to see him create outside of structure.
Overall, I think UAB landed a really good one. He has the physical tools, the mechanics, and the leadership traits you’re looking for at the position. Based on what I’ve seen, it’s easy to understand why the coaching staff prioritized him.”
How He Fits at UAB
At 6’3″, Shambley possesses good size and has demonstrated the ability to impact the game both through the air and on the ground.
His combination of passing production, mobility, and leadership potential gives UAB a quarterback prospect with considerable upside as he prepares for his senior season.
Just as importantly, the Blazers now have a cornerstone piece for the 2027 class and a quarterback who can help build momentum on the recruiting trail moving forward. With Shambley now committed, UAB can continue building around its first quarterback pledge of the cycle.
UAB 2027 Commitments
Kaiden McKenzie, 6’4″ 330 OL from Brookwood HS (GA)
Bryce Daniels, 6’4″ 327 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)
Resources
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