By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Pelham High School offensive lineman Justin Forehand became the fifth Shelby County high school football standout to verbally commit to play college football at UAB following his pledge Dec. 11.

Forehand, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive tackle, had an in-home visit Dec. 8 with new UAB head coach Garrick McGee and made his commitment three days later.

“Justin was very impressed with Coach McGee and his vision for UAB,” said Tommy Forehand, Justin’s father. “Justin was Coach McGee’s first recruit he visited as a head coach.”

Forehand also had an offer from Jacksonville State University. Forehand joins four other Shelby County high school football standouts in UAB’s Class of 2012.

Briarwood Christian School senior Ben Craft, a 6-foot-2, 197-pound quarterback, became the first Shelby County product to commit to the Blazers in the Class of 2012 in July. Chelsea High School senior Jake Ganus, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound quarterback/safety, committed to UAB three days later.

Spain Park High School defensive backs Destin Challenger, a 5-foot-11, 213-pound safety, and Devon Brown, a 5-foot-11, 182-pound cornerback, both committed to the Blazers in early August.

All four players remained committed to UAB following the resignation of head coach Neil Callaway last month. McGee, who spent last season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas, was hired as the Blazers’ new coach in early December.

A total of eight Shelby County players in the Class of 2012 have now made verbal commitments to play college football.

Spain Park High School senior Justin Carter, a 6-foot, 200-pound defensive back, is committed to Rice University. Spain Park High School senior Ben Tamburello, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman, is committed to Samford University.

Briarwood Christian School senior Kalan Reed, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound defensive back, is committed to Southern Mississippi University.