UAB HOLDS FIRST SPRING SCRIMMAGE

A steady and sometimes spectacular performance by the UAB wide receivers was one of the highlights during the Blazers’ first full-scale scrimmage of spring practice on Friday at Legacy Pavilion.

Kameran Shanks, who was redshirted last season while serving mainly as  kick returner in four games, made an impact throughout. His day included a touchdown reception, when he caught a short pass across the middle, raced to the far sideline and outran several defenders to the end zone.

Afterward, UAB head coach Trent Dilfer singled out Shanks’ play and also mentioned contributions made by wide receivers Corri Milliner, BJ Hawkins Jr., Jamoi Mayes and Malachi Holt-Bennett. Amare Thomas also set up a short touchdown run when he went up near the goal line and snatched a pass thrown by Jacob Zeno. Dilfer also praised the play and versatility of running back Lee Witherspoon and tight end Terrell McDonald. Lee Beebe Jr. also ran the ball well.

“We have a lot of playmakers,” Dilfer said. “Our skill players on offense are playing at a really high level. They’re still not as consistent as we need them to be. But their impact on daily practices is not just felt, it’s heard.”

Offensively, Dilfer was disappointed with penalties, including a few pre-snap infractions. Dilfer said his team’s offense has to “clean that up.”

Defensively, the Blazers continue to make strides of improvement. Newcomers LeDarrius Cox at defensive tackle and Adrian Maddox at safety made some plays during the scrimmage.

“Hopefully, we’ll be a lot better than we were last year,” Dilfer said. “The goal is not to be a little better, the goal is to be a lot better. But it’s a steep hill to climb. We, obviously, were atrocious and everybody in the building knows it. Nobody would be offended by that, everybody owns it. There is a lot of work to be done. I do think we have better personnel but I do think, also, defense is a lot about coming together. You see flashes of the potential, we have yet to see the consistency.”

 UAB concluded its second week of spring practice on Friday. The Blazers hold its practice week of the spring session next week, culminating with the Spring Showcase next Saturday morning.