UAB freshman linebacker Allen Merrick, 19, died Friday of gunshot wounds sustained while visiting his hometown of Gadsden, Ala., on Thursday.
Gadsden police told AL.com that the shooting appears to be accidental, though an investigation is ongoing. Blazers coach Bill Clark released a statement on Merrick's status earlier Friday and asked for prayers for him and his family.
“Please pray for the family of Allen Merrick, a young man who joined our UAB Football Family this season," Clark said in the statement. "Allen was visiting home in Gadsden yesterday when he suffered a gunshot wound. He is at UAB Hospital where I’ve been with Allen’s family, but I do not have a condition I can share at this time. I ask that everyone please respect his family’s privacy and keep them all in your prayers.”
Merrick was listed as Gadsden City High School's defensive player of the year in 2019 and played in last season's Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. A three-star recruit, Merrick was the No. 39 player in the state of Alabama and No. 48 linebacker nationally, per 247Sports' Composite rankings. He garnered 22 offers, picking the Blazers over Florida Atlantic and Kentucky.
Merrick is the second UAB signee to die this offseason. Jamari Smith, another incoming freshman, drowned on May 27 in a state park lake near Auburn, Ala.
