WHAT TO KNOW AHEAD OF UAB FOOTBALL’s SPRING SHOWCASE
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - April 5 2024
UAB concludes its second spring football practice under head coach Trent Dilfer on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with the Spring Showcase at Legacy Pavilion.
Dilfer said the team will hold a 130-140 play scrimmage with “with a minimum of 10-play series, so to speak, regardless of what happens in them.” It will be the second and final full-scale scrimmage of the three-week long spring practice.
“It will be a little more intense (than last Friday’s scrimmage),” Dilfer said. “The defense has a little more (installed) so it will be a little less scripted. I think it will be highly competitive. The defense has really come on the last few days and made the offense look silly at times.”
Saturday will be the first time that UAB fans get a look at some key newcomers on the defensive side. Defensive lineman LeDarrius Cox (Indiana), Edge rusher Ezra Odinjor (Georgia Tech) and safeties Sirad Bryant (Georgia Tech) and Adrian Maddox (Alabama State) are transfer portal additions who have made an immediate impact defensively. Inside linebacker OC Brothers (Purdue) is also expected to play a crucial role for UAB’s defense but he was sidelined this spring while rehabbing a previous injury. Junior college transfer Eddy Toussom has also played well this spring.
Getting pressure on the quarterbacks will be a focus on Saturday. UAB appears to be improved on the edge this spring with a rotation that includes Odinjor and Toussom and returnees Desmond Little, Kendall Johnson, Emmanuel Waller and Tyler Thomas.
“I want to see a pass rush,” Dilfer said. “I need to see our defensive line win some one-on-ones. But, conversely, I want to see our offensive line play at the same level.”
Offensively, Dilfer said quarterback starter Jacob Zeno will get the bulk of the snaps. Transfer quarterback Jalen Kitna has been limited this spring with injuries and will not play in the scrimmage. The other quarterbacks – returnees Landry Lyddy, Harrison Barker, Trace Campbell and Carter Putt and true freshman Adrian Posse – will get some reps in the scrimmage.
It’s been a good spring for a deep group of wide receivers and tight ends Terrell McDonald and Bryce Damous have played well. Running back carries will probably be split amongst Lee Beebe Jr., Lee Witherspoon and Dylan Peterson. Isaiah Jacobs is out this spring while continuing to rehab a knee injury suffered against Tulane. LSU transfer Armoni Goodwin practiced in a limited role this spring.
“I think one thing we’ve done offensively is we’re making the plays that are there to be made,” Dilfer said. There’s only so many times in a football game that it pops. If it pops, you got to capitalize on it.”
Overall, Dilfer said he’s looking for his team to “consistently make, the hard play,” in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“The conflict catch, getting the extra two yards, the open field tackle, 50-50 balls,” Dilfer said. “I want to those highly competitive (plays). What I’m used to, at the highest level, is every play is like you’re gritting your teeth (and asking) what’s going to happen on this play. And then I want to see continued growth, the buy in, the enthusiasm. I talked to you about obnoxious enthusiasm and communication. When you’re confident, you talk. We have to make sure we know their confidence level by how they talk.”
Gates will open at 9 a.m., warmups begin at 10 a.m. and the scrimmage is slated to start at approximately 10:35. A family fun zone will be set up on the outdoor practice field. The event is free to the public.