North Alabama enters their first season in the ASUN after their departure from the Big South this offseason. The Lions landed a major transfer in former Colorado and Wake Forest defensive back KJ Trujillo who announced his commitment to North Alabama on social media.
📍University of North Alabama #Committed pic.twitter.com/F140N5kdbo
— TRU†H (@iamkjtru) June 24, 2022
Trujillo was a consensus 3-star prospect out of Orange, CA and ranked as a Top-55 cornerback in the class of 2019. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound corner totaled 36 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, and 1 interception as a senior at Lutheran High School. He played at Servite High School during his sophomore and junior seasons, but missed half of his junior season due to injury. He totaled 48 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 4 pass breakups during his sophomore season. Trujillo announced his commitment to Colorado in December of 2019 over offers from San Diego State, Utah State, Arizona, and Colorado State.
Trujillo started seven games as a true freshman for the Buffs and won the Lee Willard Award as the best freshman on the defensive side of the ball. He totaled 21 tackles, 1 sack, 6 pass breakups, and 1 interception as a true freshman. As a sophomore Trujillo saw action in three games and totaled 5 tackles for Colorado. He announced his transfer after the 2020 season and committed to Wake Forest in June of 2021.
He did not see any action at Wake Forest during the 2021 season and announced his transfer this spring. Trujillo held offers from North Alabama, UAlbany, Chattanooga, McNeese State, and Northern Colorado. He will have three years of eligibility left at North Alabama.
Trujillo was an important addition for the Lions as the secondary lost multiple impact players from the 2021 season. Big South All-American defensive back K.J. Smith and Alonzo Craighton both graduated this offseason. Trujillo will join Kyree Fields, Terrell Bailey, Jacob Peters, and ASUN All-American Jonathan Jordan in the secondary for the 2022 season.
North Alabama will open the 2022 season on the road against Indiana State on September 1st.
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