ALABAMA_FOOTBALL_PRACTICE_MEDIA_WINDOW_17973673.JPG

Marvin Shinn is pictured going through drills during a practice for Alabama's appearance in last season's BCS national championship game. Shinn, who has transferred to South Alabama, caught two passes for 14 yards in that game. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

MOBILE, Alabama - Former Alabama and Vigor High School standout wide receiver Marvin Shinn has transferred to South Alabama.

Shinn, a 6-foot-4, 200-pounder, will have to sit out this season but will have two seasons of eligibility with the Jaguars. He is enrolled in school and will practice with the team this season.

He was the first commitment for Alabama's 2011 recruiting class and he was redshirted for the 2011 season at Alabama. Last year, he played in all 14 of Alabama's games, including the BCS national championship game. Shinn caught two passes for 14 yards in the title game and had six catches for 42 yards for the season.

"First of all, we may have the best scout team receiver that we've ever had,'' head coach Joey Jones said, referring to Shinn. "I would anticipate that being true all across the country. I've already seen him jump over defensive backs three or four times catching balls. He's 6-4, great ability, great person.

"Obviously he'll have to sit out this year but we're tickled to death that he'll be on the field next year for us.''

Shinn was an Under Armour All-America pick out of Vigor and was ranked the No. 78 prospect in the country on the Rivals 100 list, No. 75 in the ESPN 150 and No. 29 in the Press-Register's Super Southeast 120.

He was also a SuperPrep All-America selection and a two-time, first-team all-state selection. He caught 50 passes for 782 yards and nine touchdowns his final season at Vigor.

"It's pretty obvious, his height,'' Jones said when asked to note Shinn's top asset. "I watched him in high school and admired his athleticism. He played quarterback a good bit in high school.

"At Alabama he played in a national championship game and caught a couple of balls. He's a SEC-quality receiver. He's a guy who will give defenses fits because of his height. He's a good route-runner and has great hands and all those kinds of things, but his height advantage is going to bring us a dimension that we really haven't had the last two or three years.''

Shinn joins another former Alabama receiver at South Alabama. Danny Woodson Jr. also transferred from Alabama to South Alabama recently, but Woodson was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA and will be allowed to play for the Jags this season. Woodson is also from the Mobile area, having played at LeFlore High School.

South Alabama opens its 2013 season Thursday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium at 6:30 p.m. against Football Championship Subdivision member Southern Utah.