Hunter Kennedy likes hanging around his family. He makes no bones about it.

When not at the Charles Henderson High indoor facility lifting weights, you can probably find him doing homework in the corner booth at his mom’s restaurant or watching his dad, Craig, coach basketball at Pike Liberal Arts.

Kennedy feels he found a new “football family” at UAB, and verbally committed to play football for the Blazers.

Kennedy, who drew interest from Troy, Duke, Jacksonville State and several Division II and NAIA schools, said the offer surprised him a little.

“It came in kind of late,” said Kennedy. “I had known the staff from Jacksonville State, and they kind of knew they were going to get the UAB job. I didn’t know if the offer would hold up, but I’m glad it did. I am proud to be part of UAB.”

Kennedy played most of his career at Charles Henderson at tackle, but said he will more thank likely move inside at the next level.

He played guard at the Max Emfinger All-American Game in January, and feels is up to the challenge of moving positions.

“It doesn’t matter to me where I play, center, guard or tackle,” Kennedy said. “I just want to compete. I’m comfortable at all the spots.”

Kennedy anchored the Charles Henderson offensive line during his senior season, and helped pave the way for three 1,000-yard rushers, Courtney Downing, John Johnson and Mondarius Dixon, during his career.

He graded out at 82 percent during his senior campaign and registered 74 pancake blocks.

Charles Henderson offensive coordinator Rodney Jordan feel UAB made the right decision.

“Hunter is the type of kid that will do everything you ask him to do,” said Jordan. “He has worked his tail off in the weight room, in the film room and on the field over the last few years. He is a FBS player. There is no doubt. I am glad he gets the opportunity to prove that.”

Kennedy will officially be recognized as a “blue shirt,” meaning his scholarship clock will not start ticking until January.

He will be a preferred walk on during the fall, and will pay his own way during the fall semester, but he says, “will probably get one (a scholarship) in January.”

Kennedy’s dad is a former assistant women’s basketball coach at Troy, his step-dad played basketball for Troy in the early 1990’s and his the name of his mom’s restaurant is “The Trojan Zone.”

But Kennedy said he knows his family will be in green and gold when the Trojans come to Legion Field on August 30.

“I know my family will support me no matter what I wanted to do,” said Kennedy. “I liked the coaches at UAB, and feel like I can contribute. The future will be fun.”