MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball signed 13 student-athletes to National Letters-of-Intent in the early signing period, as announced Wednesday by head coach Steve Kittrell.

Eleven of the 13 who signed NLIs are junior college student-athletes, while the remaining two who are expected to join the program next season are local high school products from the Mobile area.

“All of the coaches involved worked extremely hard this fall and had a tremendous signing class,” USA head coach Steve Kittrell said.  “I am very proud of the work they did to bring some outstanding talent into South Alabama.”

Nine different states are represented in the signing class, which includes multiple student-athletes from Alabama and Florida.

“I think we addressed some pitching and middle infield issues,” South Alabama associate head coach/head coach-in-waiting Mark Calvi said. “We wanted to become a little more athletic. I feel good with this class. I think we’re on the right track, because winning starts and stops on the mound and we had to address the pitching issues and the depth of pitching.” 

INF Robby Campbell – Northwest Shoals (Ala.) Community College (Niceville, Fla.)
Campbell batted .302 with 57 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 37 RBI and 18 stolen bases for head coach David Langston. He received a class 4A-5A honorable mention as a senior at Niceville High School.

Campbell on why he chose South Alabama – “I thought South Alabama offered the best opportunity to continue playing baseball. I think coach Calvi has a good direction on where he’s going with his coaching career, and I want to play for him.”

Langston on Campbell – “Robby [Campbell] played every day for us last year, and moved back and forth between shortstop and second base. He led off for us and had a very good year. We’re anticipating for him to have an even better year this year. Offensively, he can do a lot of things because he can run. He’s a smaller guy, but he still has some juice. He’s a guy at the top of the order who can still hit the ball in the gap, and is exciting on the bases because he can really run. He is fun to coach and guys like playing with him just because of what he brings to practice and games every single day.”

Calvi on Campbell – “Robby Campbell is a versatile player who is a plus runner. He can play shortstop, second base or center field. He had a lot of success at Northwest Shoals last year for coach David Langston, and he’s looking to have a bigger and better year this year. But his versatility and speed is what attracted us to him, along with the fact that he wanted to be here. He has some power for a guy his size. He’s a strong kid, and he plays the game the right way.”

1B  Bones Dalken – Gordon College (Cumming, Ga.)
Dalken started all 47 games as a freshman, and batted .337 with 52 runs scored, nine doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 56 RBI for head coach Travis McClanahan. He posted a .650 slugging percentage and .438 on-base percentage, and recorded two nine-game hitting streaks. Dalken hit safely in 34 of 47 games, and was named to the Region XVII all-tournament team after helping Gordon College capture the 2010 region championship. Defensively, he committed just two errors last season. Dalken lettered three years in baseball at North Forsyth High School in Cumming, Ga., where he was named all-region and was a second-team all-state selection.

Dalken on why he chose South Alabama – “I’m interested in mechanical engineering, and South Alabama is a big engineering school. That was the big deciding factor, but also I met coach Calvi and he seemed like a straightforward guy. Coach [Seth] Von Behren is great, and the school has nice facilities. It was everything rolled into what I was looking for.”

McClanahan on Dalken – “He is a very good defensive first baseman and a middle-of-the-order hitter who is a solid, consistent bat for us. He brings a lot of leadership and a good work ethic to the table. He’s a blue collar-type guy. He hit in the four-hole for us last year, and is a very big run producer.”

Calvi on Dalken – “Bones Dalken put up some numbers last year as a left-handed hitting first baseman, even after missing a few weeks because of a badly sprained ankle. He’s a great student and fantastic kid who works hard. He has turned himself into a solid first baseman, and he’s a left-handed presence in the box with some power. He has really become a solid first baseman, and he’s a very smart, mature kid.”


RHP Chris Doyle – Northwest Florida State Community College (Adelaide, South Australia)
Doyle was named the Panhandle Conference’s top relief pitcher of the year last season, which earned him the Fireman of the Year award, and received first-team all-conference honors. The right-hander earned four wins and three saves while recording 44 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings pitched. Doyle tossed two complete games last season for head coach Doug Martin, while posting a 4.72 ERA – the lowest of any pitcher at NFSCC who pitched at least 20 innings.

Doyle on why he chose South Alabama – “I love the history of South Alabama – I’ve read into it a lot. I think it is a good school, but it was mainly because of the coaches. They are widely respected, and I think they are going to put together a winning team that will allow us to go places.”

Martin on Doyle – “He’s a terrific pitcher, but an even better kid. Chris [Doyle] is a first-class guy. He is as good a kid as I have had as far as following through with what he needs to do academically. His maturity in how to go about pitching is advanced for a kid his age.”

Calvi on Doyle – “Chris Doyle knows how to win. He is a three-pitch guy, fastball, slider and changeup, and was Fireman of the Year last year in the Panhandle Conference. He’s solid and throws strikes. He knows the game and is a very mature kid and very good athlete. He controls the running game well when men are on base, and is extremely competitive and has good stuff. He adds a great older presence to the staff.”

3B/OF Neil Hudson – Alabama Southern Community College (Excel, Ala.)
Hudson posted a team-best .440 batting average last season with 28 runs scored, five doubles, two triples, six home runs and 42 RBI for head coach Daniel Head. He ranks 15th all-time in career batting average (.456) in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, and was an Alabama Sports Writers Association 2A first-team all-state selection from 2006-08 at Excel High School. In his career at EHS, Hudson collected 22 home runs, 163 RBI, 32 doubles, five triples and 141 runs scored.

Hudson on why he chose South Alabama – “I’ve always watched South Alabama as a kid, and I really like Mobile and coach Calvi, coach Von Behren and coach [Alan] Luckie. They seem like really good people and they are winners. I just felt like it was the right place.”

Head on Hudson – “Neil [Hudson] is a very well-rounded player. He led our team in hitting last year, and he is a very solid defensive third baseman. He’s a strong defender at third base, and he can play a little outfield. He’s a solid guy offensively, and is a guy who shows up to work every day. He works his tail off, and he’s a South Alabama-type player. He’s a blue-collar, hard-working guy, and wants to play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the name on the back. He’ll do whatever it takes to win, and will definitely be an asset to their program.”

Calvi on Hudson – “Neil Hudson is a versatile player who can play any position on the infield or in the outfield. He runs well and is a strong kid. He’s a fantastic kid who can do some things, and he’s really excited about being here.”

RHP Tyler Huffer – Arizona Western Community College (Kingman, Ariz.)
Huffer went 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings as a freshman for head coach John Stratton. He ranked eighth in ERA in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference last season, and received second-team all-ACCAC honors.

Huffer on why he chose South Alabama – “Being a pitcher, I like the confidence and enthusiasm coach Calvi has about getting the program back to where it should be. I could tell by his enthusiasm and energetic attitude that he wants to get going. He wants to get on top of things and get it rolling.”

Stratton on Huffer – “South Alabama is getting a guy who is a very competitive, high-energy guy. He is a complete student-athlete. He’s probably our best student, he takes care of business in the classroom and is a good citizen. He is a guy who has come on fast. He competes on the mound, and he has great ball movement. He has a fastball that is heavy and really moves, so he has a pretty dynamic fastball and a very good slider.”

Von Behren on Huffer – “Tyler Huffer is a right-handed pitcher whose fastball will go upper 80s to low 90s, with a plus slider. We were fortunate enough to get him over several big schools that recruited him out there. He can pitch on weekends or in the back-end of the bullpen.”

RHP Anthony Izzio – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Vancleave, Miss.)
Izzio went 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA and one save in 51 2/3 innings as a freshman for head coach Gary Rath. The right-hander recorded 46 strikeouts while issuing just 13 walks in 16 appearances. He ranked second at MGCCC in strikeouts and ERA last season.

Izzio on why he chose South Alabama – “The biggest factor in my decision was the coaches; I just really enjoyed them. They seemed like really great guys, and it seems like they have the program going down the right path and I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Rath on Izzio – “South Alabama is getting an all-around great kid. He is a consummate professional. He handles his business in the classroom.  Anthony is a really good pitcher, but he’s a great student-athlete. He puts in 100 percent effort and professionalism in everything he does. He really has a lot of respect from his teammates, and I think that’s the big thing. He elevates the pitching staff and team that he is on. He has command of three pitches, and throws them all from three or four different angles. He has a very tremendous feel for pitching.”

Von Behren on Izzio – “Anthony Izzio is a right-handed pitcher who can throw from several different arm slots. He is a bulldog-type kid; he’s 5’11” and pitches like he’s 6’8”. Each time he gets on the mound, he’s going to compete and give us everything that he has.”

OF/INF  Cole Jarman – Spanish Fort High School (Spanish Fort, Ala.)
Jarman helped SFHS capture the 2010 Alabama High School Athletic Association 5A state championship as a junior under head coach Tommy Walker, while earning all-Baldwin County team honors. He batted .366 with 49 runs scored, 10 doubles, four triples, four home runs, 29 RBI and stole 14 bases. Jarman batted .512 with runners in scoring position last season, while posting a .590 slugging percentage. He has lettered on the SFHS varsity squad since his eighth-grade year.

Jarman on why he chose South Alabama – “They [South Alabama] recruited me a lot, and coach [Seth] Von Behren showed a lot of interest in me. That was a big deal to me. And once I found out coach Calvi was coming and I met with him, I love the way he coaches. I know how much he has done and the impact he has had there already.”

Walker on Jarman – “South Alabama is getting a hitter who will be ready to compete quickly on that level in Cole Jarman. He has great balance as a hitter, and probably has better plate discipline than anyone I have had in high school. He doesn’t swing at balls. Cole has a great eye at the plate, and just has bat speed from both sides of the plate. He is more of a gap-type hitter. He has a real short, simple compact swing, and is a really good hitter who is not afraid to work deep in the count. He works hard. He’s up there with Emeel Salem among guys I have coached, in relation to how much he works on hitting. He’s on that level of work ethic.”

Von Behren on Jarman – “Cole Jarman is a very athletic kid from Spanish Fort who comes from a very good baseball background with coach Tommy Walker. He can play outfield or infield, and he’s a plus runner. He is a switch-hitter who will contribute very early in his career as a Jaguar.”

LHP/OF Kyle Kinman – Butler (Kan.) Community College (Omaha, Neb.)
Kinman went 8-2 with a 2.22 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched as a freshman for head coach B.J. McVay. He led the team in wins, ERA and strikeouts last season, and was named the KJCCC Conference Freshman of the Year and first-team all-conference. Kinman also batted .347 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI for BCC.

Kinman on why he chose South Alabama – “I chose South Alabama because the school is kind of small, but has a big, tradition-rich baseball program. I really like what coach Calvi had to say and I really feel like he’s going to take off with this program. I got to meet him first-hand, and he had a huge influence on my decision because I really like what he had to say about how he is going to do things and the way he is going to coach.”

McVay on Kinman – “South Alabama is getting a competitor – that’s the biggest thing I see out of Kyle. He competes at everything he does. Last year, he came in as a freshman and had some big arms in front of him, but he turned out to be our number one-or-two guy at the end of the year. But the biggest thing I think Kyle will bring to South Alabama is he competes every day.”

Von Behren on Kinman – “Kyle Kinman is a left-handed pitcher who is going to lay it on the line every time he goes out on the mound. He has four pitches he can command and was freshman of the year last season in a very good Kansas junior college league. He can swing it from the left side, and has some plus power as an outfielder. The biggest asset he brings to the table is that he’s going to compete and lay it on the line each time he gets the ball.”

C/OF Taylor Nichols – Faith Academy (Mobile, Ala.)
Nichols batted .470 with 14 doubles, three triples and stole 10 bases as a junior last season at Faith Academy under head coach Larry Skoda. He was a 2010 Under Armour Preseason All-American selection, and was named Baseball Factory’s top underclassman at a player showcase in Tampa, Fla.

Nichols on why he chose South Alabama – “The first thing is I get to stay home with my family. I’m a big family man, and I get to stay home and play in front of my family and friends. Coach Calvi’s specialty is pitching and catching, and I think he can take me to the next level.”

Skoda on Nichols – “Taylor [Nichols] is a winner and is extremely talented. He has better baseball instincts than probably anyone I have coached. His instincts are phenomenal, but he has tools too. He has a great arm in the outfield, and can play anywhere in the field. He is a fierce competitor. He has so many intangibles – he brings a lot to the table.”

Von Behren on Nichols – “Taylor Nichols is an athletic kid who has gotten better each year in high school. He can play outfield and catch for us. He’s a great addition for us in keeping a good local player close to home.”

RHP Jay Shafer – Hagerstown (Md.) Community College (Hagerstown, Md.)
Shafer went 8-2 with a 4.11 ERA and two saves in 72 1/3 innings as a freshman, while recording 53 strikeouts for head coach Scott Jennings. He was named all-Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference and first-team all-Region 20 last season, and  tied for second in wins and eighth in the conference in ERA. Shafer tossed a no-hitter in a win over Montgomery County-Rockville last year, and the right-hander also batted .289 with three doubles, a home run and eight RBI.

Shafer on why he chose South Alabama – “Coach Calvi and coach Von Behren said they want a bunch of hard-nosed guys who aren’t afraid to go out and compete. The opportunity to play with guys like myself who aren’t afraid to go out and compete against good teams is why I chose South Alabama.”

Jennings on Shafer – “South Alabama is getting a very hard worker. Jay [Shafer] is a very dedicated player, both on and off the field. He outworks everybody. We started him out as a reliever and he ended up getting a start or two, and he took off with that. He is a competitor; he battles you. Jay works very fast, which definitely works to his advantage because the defense stays on their toes. He works fast and throws strikes – he pounds the strike zone. Jay is a laid-back kid off the field, but when he gets on the mound he’s a bulldog. He’s not going to give in to you, you have to beat him.” 

Calvi on Shafer – “Jay Shafer is a bulldog-type kid. He is a good athlete; he pitches and can play the field. He throws from different arm angles. He is mid-to-upper 80s over the top with a good slider and curveball. He’s mid-80s from the side with a very good slurve. He gets after it; he competes hard.”

INF Cory Urquhart – Bellevue (Wa.) College (Yakima, Wa.)
Urquhart batted .267 with 29 runs scored, 11 doubles, two triples, one home run, 41 RBI and 16 stolen bases in his freshman season for head coach Mark Yoshino. He earned second-team all-Northwest Athletic Association Community College honors last year in the wooden bat league, and was also named a Northern Region first-team all-star. Urquhart helped Bellevue to a third-place finish in the NWAACC.

Urquhart on why he chose South Alabama – “I like the coaching staff and how all of the sports are coming up. I just wanted to find the best opportunity for me, and I thought it was a great opportunity for me to go down there and experience it.  I wanted to go down there and play because I liked the facilities and the school – I just liked everything about it. I really like coach Calvi. I think he’s going to do great things with the program.”

Yoshino on Urquhart – “Coming in with many accolades out of high school, Cory has developed even more during his two years here at Bellevue. Like our previous student-athletes who have excellent track records with entering and being impact players at the Division I level, Urquhart should step in at USA next fall as a total-package player.”

Calvi on Urquhart – “Cory Urquhart is an outstanding shortstop. He makes routine and tough plays. He’s a steady kid who is extremely competitive. He handles the bat well, knows his way around the field and runs the bases well. He’s just a solid baseball player.”

RHP Ryan Wysocki – Navarro Community College (Keller, Texas)
Wysocki went 1-1 with three saves and a 3.24 ERA last season for head coach Whoa Dill at Navarro College. The right-hander struck out 29 batters and issued just six walks in 25 innings pitched, and allowed just nine earned runs and 17 hits in 17 appearances.

Wysocki on why he chose South Alabama – “I like the Mobile area, it has a lot to offer. The coaching staff was a big factor in my decision. I think coach Calvi can help me out a lot, and I feel like I can learn a lot from him as well as coach Von Behren and coach [Alan] Luckie. It just felt like the right all-around fit for me.”

Dill on Wysocki – “Ryan [Wysocki] is a great kid who works hard. He has a good arm, and is a real short-arm action guy – he hides the ball really well. He sits 88 to 89 and gets up to 91 miles per hour every once in a while. He will throw strikes. He throws a good slider; it’s up to 83 or 84. It’s a hard power slider. He has a good feel for his changeup, and I think he will be a good pitcher for South Alabama. He’s not scared, he’ll get after it. He’s very athletic; he can do a lot of things.”

Von Behren on Wysocki – “Ryan Wysocki is a right-handed pitcher with a fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball will go 87-89, and he has an 80 mile-per-hour slider. I see him as a potential starter or long-relief guy. We had the opportunity to bring in another Navarro kid from Texas, like [former Jaguar] Zach Grichor, who played under Whoa Dill.

1B/OF Nick Zaharion – St. Petersburg (Fla.) Community College (Stuart, Fla.)
Zaharion batted .400 with 22 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 65 RBI and 48 runs scored in 57 games as a freshman. He was selected in the 29th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals out of South Fork High School in Stuart, Fla., where he was a two-time all-area selection. Zaharion helped SFHS capture the 5A state championship as a senior after batting .427 with seven home runs and 29 RBI.

Zaharion on why he chose South Alabama – “I chose South Alabama because I think it is the right program for me, and coach Calvi is a big reason why I signed. I think he’s going to be able to get the program turned back in the right direction and get it going pretty fast.”

Calvi on Zaharion – “Nick is a corner outfielder and first baseman who has caught a little. In my opinion, he is one of, if not the best, junior college hitter in Florida. We’re thrilled to have him. He will anchor down a spot in the lineup in the heart of the order. We feel as though he was the final touch in our lineup. We really like it [lineup], but we were missing that right-handed presence in the middle of the lineup, and we feel like he filled that need.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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