FLORENCE — The quantity might not be as high but North Alabama coach Bobby Wallace is very pleased with the quality of recruits expected to sign with the Lions today.

UNA signed over 40 high school players in Wallace’s first signing class a year ago. Wallace said he expects to sign around 28 players today with a good mix of high school standouts and a few transfers.

“It looks like a very good class,” Wallace said. “We did want a good mix this year with a few more junior college kids and we feel like we have some good ones. Most of our high school commitments are within a 60-mile radius of the Shoals, so that’s always good.”

The Lions have already signed three transfers in defensive ends Willie Bland and John Lattimore, along with cornerback Terrence Hayward. Bland comes to UNA from Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Lattimore played last season at East Carolina and will have one year remaining. Hayward started as a freshman at Washington State before leaving the program after the 2010 season. He also has two years of eligibility left. Bland, Lattimore and Hayward are in school and will go through spring practice with the Lions.

Other junior college players expected to sign with UNA include: wide receiver Korey Jones, of Southwest (Miss.) Community College; defensive tackle Shaquille Smith and offensive lineman Justin Booth, each of Jones (Miss.) Community College; linebacker Quad Freeman, of Itawamba (Miss.) Community College; and cornerback Marino Daggon of Pearl River (Miss.) Community College.

Also expected to sign with UNA is former Deshler linebacker JR White, who played the past two seasons at Northeast (Miss.) Community College.

“Our biggest immediate needs are defensive tackle and cornerback,” Wallace said.

“Those are positions where a junior college guy is a good fit. We also wanted a couple of junior college linebackers as well as some young linebackers for the future.”

Several local high school players have committed to UNA. Russellville will send four players to UNA in linebacker Logan Ezzell, linebacker Bud Coleman, athlete Tyler Boyd and defensive back Jordan Gist.

Lauderdale County defensive tackle Tyler Smith and tight end Brian Puckett are also expected to sign with the Lions this morning. Florence offensive lineman Laurence Carmichael and Muscle Shoals defensive back Levi Fell have also committed to UNA.

Other high school players committed to UNA include wide receiver Dre Hall of Columbia, Tenn.; wide receiver Tevin Cook, athlete Trae Kyles and defensive lineman Shaquan Glass, all of Handley High School in Roanoke; tight end Tobias Payne of Austin; offensive lineman Jess Cooper of Tuscaloosa County; linebacker Rodney Held of Hazel Green; defensive back Philbert Marshall of McGill-Toolen in Mobile and athlete Kai Thomas of Dora.

“Several of the guys we expect to sign we will list as athletes,” Wallace said. “They could end up at wide receiver or at defensive back. The main thing we are looking for is speed; You’ve got to have guys that can run.”

Jefff McIntyre can be reached at 256-740-5737 or jeff.mcintyre@TimesDaily.com.

UNA commitments

Several local high school players have committed to UNA. Russellville will send four players to UNA in linebacker Logan Ezzell, linebacker Bud Coleman, athlete Tyler Boyd and defensive back Jordan Gist. Lauderdale County defensive tackle Tyler Smith and tight end Brian Puckett are also expected to sign with the Lions this morning.