South Alabama steals recruit from Alabama and Auburn

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South Alabama added another player to its roster Monday, "signing'' 11-year-old Colby Sawyer to the Jaguars' roster.

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"I was a little nervous for the press conference,'' Sawyer said, "but I got through it. I'm excited about the game Saturday and I really want us to win. I'm happy about being on the sideline and I'm looking forward to a win. It feels really good to be a part of the team.''

Jones said there was a fierce recruiting battle for Sawyer, but the Jags were able to out-recruit Alabama and Auburn and sign him.

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The teaming of Sawyer with the Jags' football team came by way of Team Impact, which matches children facing serious health issues with college athletic teams across the country. Sawyer is a patient at USA Children's and Women's Hospital. Once diagnosed, doctors began an aggressive chemotherapy treatment for Sawyer that lasted a little more than a year.

Monday, Sawyer spent time with several of the South Alabama players, had his signing prior to Jones' press conference, spent some time in the Jags' locker room and was presented his own locker and picked up a jersey and some other South Alabama attire for his appearance at Saturday's game against Texas State.

"It's a big deal,'' Sawyer's mother, Joyce, who attended the signing along with husband Mark, said. "He's been through a lot and he's had a couple of procedures the last few weeks, and this is something that has boosted his spirits up. So he's real excited, and we are too.

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“I know Coach Saban and Coach Malzahn were hot on his trail but we stole him away,” said Coach Jones.

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