Baseball Adds Eight Signees - Samford University Athletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford baseball program has added eight new signees in the 2027 class, head coach Tony David announced today.

The class is one the highest rated in school history at the 87^th overall out of 309 DI Schools, the 32^nd non-Power 4 ranking, and the fifth-ranked non Power 4 on the average player ranking.

"The 2027 class is a tremendous class for our program that is, as always for us, filled will almost all high school guys with great talent," David said. "The rankings are built on the accumulation of players on some level and the quality of them. We do not sign and sign and sign guys. We are targeted in who we go after and do not over sign. My coaching staff has done another outstanding job to find the guys that can play at this level that are Samford guys."

Coach David believes the consistency of the program is built with signing high school players that are the right fit for the school and program, despite all the changes in the sport the last few years,

"I believe bringing in young guys that have the ability to play right away for us, that are Samford guys and the right fit for us, is a major factor for our yearly consistent success," David said. "Then adding targeted older guys that we feel address immediate needs. This group, top to bottom, has incredible strength and we felt we needed to add at least one older arm in this period as well, likely will make one more of those additions."

Jake Fetting (6-2, 185, RHP, Page High School, Tenn.) Outstanding right-hand pitcher featuring a 93 mile-per-hour fastball. Nationally ranked by Perfect game at 216^th overall pitcher and the fifth-ranked pitcher in Tennessee.

"Jake has a live arm and a great frame for future velocity growth," David said. "We expect him to have significant mound time right out of the gate."

Bryce Fontenot (6-2, 235 , RHP/HTR, Cherokee Bluff High School, Ga.) Hit .385 with 19 home runs at the plate at had an ERA under 2.0 with a velocity that tops out at 96 mph with an exit velocity over 108 mph. Near perfect 9.5 grade with Perfect Game, ranked 10^th nationally at his position, 266^th overall in the nation and the top player in Georgia. Two-time offensive MVP.

"Baseball athleticism in an NFL tight ends frame is the way I describe him," David said. "Tremendous power at the plate and on the mound that will have a great chance to impact things both ways as a freshman, which is rare."

Brayden Holland (6-1, 205, C, Briarcrest Chrisitan, Tenn.) near perfect 9.5 grade from Perfect Game as the 44^th ranked catcher in the nation and the fourth in the state. Named to the TBCA All-State team, two-time Perfect Game Preseason All-American, and voted the Male Athlete of the Year. Incredible student. Outstanding defensive catcher showcasing his arm strength with a 1.80 pop time behind the plate.

"Absolute hand cannon behind the plate," David said. "He is an incredible catch and throw guy with pop at the plate and an outstanding student as well that will fit in perfectly for us here and see early playing time."

Joshua Jakubowicz (6-3, 190, LHP, Stoneman Douglas High School, Fla.) Nationally ranked 223^rd left-handed pitcher overall by Perfect Game and the 20^th ranked in Florida. One of the top high school programs in the country as well as the Florida Pokers National travel team. Features a fastball in the upper 80's from a tall lean frame and a high spin rate curveball. Wrapped up an outstanding summer with the Pokers going 8-1 with a 1.74 era.

"We get Josh from an outstanding high school and summer program in an area of the country we have had tremendous success with," David said. "Incredible frame and a ton of pitch ability from the left side in particular make him a critical addition for us. The guy is a winner."

Charles Taaffe (5-11, 190, SS, Vestavia Hills High School, Ala.) is a strong, speedy athlete that plays shortstop and stars as the quarterback for the varsity football team. Named to the 2026 All-State baseball team, Most Valuable Defensive Player as a junior and Most Valuable Player as a sophomore. Perfect Game ranked him as the 159^th shortstop in the nation and the fourth in the state.

"Just an unbelievable athlete that is as tough as they come from the high school level," David said. "An outstanding player with tremendous speed that will have a lot of quick growth as he transitions to baseball only from splitting time on the football field. We don't add infielders that cannot field at a high level and he certainly does that."

Austin Tamborra (5-11, 195, OF, North Cobb Christian, Ga.) is one of the top outfielders in the nation with a near perfect 9.5 grade with Perfect game. The speedy outfielder runs a 6.6 sixty and is rated by PG as the 77^th in the nation, fourth in the state of Georgia. He was selected to the Georgia All-State team after hitting .417 with four homers and was named Offensive Player of the Year in the County the last two seasons.

"Another great athlete in this class with a number of tools that are play and win now tools," David said. "He has incredible speed, outstanding arm strength, and pop at the plate."

Aiden Owens (6-3, 200, UTIL, The Altamont School, Ala.) is a strong, physical hitter that led his team three area championships, twice selected as the Offensive MVP and hit .412 with four home runs and an exit velocity of over 103 mph. An outstanding athlete at his size that runs a 6.8 sixty.

"As with several of our guys, Aiden is another big frame, great body athlete that can really run and has early home run power from the left side of the plate," David said. "Great student and fit for our place."

Brayden Seabold (6-1, 190, RHP, Southern Union CC, Ala.) is coming off a dominant freshman season in his conference after going 7-0 in 46 innings with a 2.91 ERA. He was selected as a first team All-Conference pitcher.

"Our only current junior college transfer in this group at this time, is the highest compliment I can pay Brayden," David said. "When we add JC guys early its to fill a specific need, and he does that. Coming off an outstanding freshman year he has a live arm and will pitch early for us in an impactful role."

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