UWA’s Gilliland signs first JuCo player

LIVINGSTON — Defensive back Gregdrecus “Duke” Leland is the first signee of the Brett Gilliland era of West Alabama football. Leland comes to UWA by way of Northeast Mississippi Community College and South Panola (Miss.) High School.

Leland finished the 2012 season with 34 tackles, 25 solo stops. He had three tackles for loss and an interception while breaking up 12 passes at NMCC.

“We are very excited to add Gregdrecus to our football team,” Gilliland said. “He was a very productive player at Northeast Mississippi and comes from a winning high school program at South Panola.”

A 5-8, 175-pound cornerback from Batesville, Miss., Leland recorded 30 tackles, two interceptions and broke up 19 passes as a senior at South Panola High School.

Leland is expected to enroll at West Alabama in January and take part in spring drills.