Toa Lavatai's prayers went unanswered.

When Lavatai committed to UAB in July, he thought he was picking an up-and-coming program that was about turn the corner under coach Bill Clark. As the season progressed and the Blazers finished 6-6 and became eligible to play in a bowl game, Lavatai became even more excited about UAB. The three-star offensive lineman out of Creekside High School (St. Johns, Fla.) knew he made the right decision.

But Lavatai -- or any of the eight other recruits who had stuck with the Blazers over the past month -- will never get a chance to play at UAB because the school announced Tuesday it is ending a program that has struggled financially. For Lavatai, it was crushing news that left him with more questions than answers.

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about these past few days,” said Lavatai, who was also offered a scholarship by South Alabama before his commitment this summer. “The coaches kept telling me it was just rumors, to stick with them, and I have. Now that they terminated the program, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m still not sure why they wanted to end the program, and I’ve been praying a lot that they don’t cancel the program. It’s a shame.”

It especially is for Lavatai, who was the highest-ranked position player in UAB's 2015 class. Lavatai is known as one of the most dominating run-blockers in the Jacksonville area, and the Blazers' coaches loved his mean streak. However, he suffered a knee injury requiring ACL surgery during the first game of the season. The Blazers coaches weren’t too concerned about it, but Lavatai is worried other schools might be scared away by the injury or the fact that he doesn’t have any senior film.

It also doesn’t help that signing day is only 64 days away.

“I have a lot going against me,” Lavatai said. “I’m pretty disappointed, but all I can do now is look and hope other schools are still interested. I had two coaches message me today that are Division II, but I really don’t want to play D-II unless it’s my only option.”

Lavatai isn’t the only UAB recruit taking the news hard.

Running back Michael Frederick of Miami (Fla.) Champagnat Catholic committed to UAB in July, turning down offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Jacksonville State and Temple. He said he had remained in contact weekly with Blazers offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent but understood, given all the information out there, that the program would likely be shut down. He said he’s back to square one with the recruiting process and hopes somebody will come knocking on his door.

Maxwell Joseph, a running back out of Naples (Fla.) High School, joined other Blazers commits by voicing his frustrations through social media. He, too, is unsure about his future but is trying to remain positive.

Sad day for Blazers

— Maxwell Joseph (@maxjoseph04) December 2, 2014

“I’m both mad and sad,” Joseph said. “I would have loved to see UAB continue to grow as a football program. I wish I could have been able to be a part of the program with such great people. Those coaches started amazing things for UAB, and it’s a shame what’s happening. I am close with Coach Vincent, and he’s been awesome through the recruiting process. I hope they all find new jobs.

“This whole thing is awful. I can’t imagine how the players feel. I am kind of worried about my situation, but I have faith that everything will be all right. Schools have stayed in touch with me, but I am open to all other options.”