Atmore native DeMarco Montgomery has signed to play football at the University of Memphis, after the elimination of the UAB program.

Montgomery, who played at Escambia County High School before eventually graduating from Spanish Fort High School, had originally committed to UAB. However, UAB President Ray Watts decided in December to end football at UAB, leaving Montgomery scrambling to find another school.

On Dec. 14, he officially signed his letter of intent to join Memphis. He is expected to enroll for the 2015 spring semester.

Montgomery spent two years at East Mississippi Community College, helping the Lions to two straight NJCAA national championships. He primarily played defensive lineman for EMCC, which defeated Iowa Western Community College 34-17 in this year’s national championship game.

Montgomery had also reportedly been considering Kansas State and Arizona.

He is the son of Debra Frye of Atmore, and Mario and Valerie Montgomery of Spanish Fort. He is the grandson of Annie Mae and Charles Williams of Atmore.