Alabama will be getting a boost to its defensive front from a familiar face.

The Crimson Tide signed two junior college players for the 2014 class on Wednesday including former Alabama defensive lineman D.J. Pettway

Wednesday marked the first day that junior college players could sign letters of intent to four-year schools. National signing day for high school prospects is on Feb. 5.

Per NCAA rules, since Pettway signed with Alabama in 2011 and re-signed on Wednesday, he will not count against the 25 scholarship limit for the 2014 class.

Pettway was an All-American at East Mississippi Junior College this past season, leading the Lions to the 2013 NJCAA national championship. He racked up 11.5 sacks for EMCC.

Pettway tweeted the news on Wednesday:

Pettway, a Pensacola, Fla. native, was dismissed from Alabama in February as one of four Alabama players charged in an alleged robbery. Prior to the arrest, he saw action in 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2012.

East Mississippi Junior College teammate and defensive tackle Jarran Reed also signed his letter of intent with Alabama on Wednesday. He will enroll at UA in January.

Reed, who played high school football in Goldsboro, N.C., committed to Alabama earlier this month. He picked the Crimson Tide over Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee and others.

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Reach D.C. Reeves at DC.Reeves@tuscaloosanews.com or

205.722.0196.