Steve Irvine previews UAB football heading into Trent Dilfer’s second season as the Blazers’ coach
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - July 30, 2024
Trent Dilfer’s second fall camp as the UAB football head coach begins on Tuesday morning. The Blazers begin work in preparation for the Aug. 29 season opener against Alcorn State at Protective Stadium.
Like with any other fall camp, there are plenty of questions to be answered and positions to be won. There’s also a transformation needed after finishing 4-8 in Dilfer’s first season. Dilfer said during media day that 64 of the Blazers 85 scholarship players came into the program in his 18 months at the helm. UAB picked up 21 transfer portal players since the close of last season with 14 of those on defense. Dilfer said he expects all 14 of the defensive players to play this season.
It should be an eventful month during preseason work. We take a look at some things that could happen before the season kicks off.
THREE PROMINENT STORYLINES TO FOLLOW
Has the defense improved?
On paper, this defensive group is much better than a year ago. Problem areas have been shored up and the defensive roster looks good. Obviously, football is not played on paper. Let’s see what happens on the field.
What will special teams look like?
Getting better on special teams is critical. The Blazers struggled in that area last season. During spring practice, the Blazers had one kicker (Jonah Delange), one punter (Patrick Foley) and one long snapper (Caleb Moser). Competition will pick up during fall camp.
How much has Trent Dilfer evolved in his second season as a college head coach?
This will, obviously, be easier to answer once the season begins. But it’s also something to watch in fall camp.
THREE POSITIONS TO WATCH
Inside linebacker
Michael Moore and Everett Roussaw Jr. came out of spring practice with a solid hold on the starting spots, partly because OC Brothers did not practice after getting work done on his shoulder. Now, it’s Brothers turn to chase one of those starting spots. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Brothers began his career at Auburn and played for three seasons at Purdue. But the focus won’t be solely on these three during fall camp. The Blazers need to build numbers at that spot. Junior college transfer Eddy Toussom (6-5, 240) will be in the mix but also could spend time on the edge. Others that could find a spot in the rotation include Jason Riles Jr., Jax Van Zandt and freshman Tylan McNichols.
Offensive line
The Blazers are better at this position than they were last season. Now, let’s see if that shows on the field. As of now, it looks like center Brady Wilson and tackle D.J. Jones have a firm grasp on starting spots, provided they remain healthy. It will be interesting to see what happens under Matt McCants, who is in his first year as a full-time offensive line coach. McCants was the interim choice for that position during spring. Tackle Trey Bedosky, who started the first five games last season but a shoulder injury cost him the rest of the year and he was still sidelined in the spring. It will be an interesting fall camp.
Cornerback
It’s well documented that the coaching staff restructured this position with spring transfer portal additions Troy Jakubec, Donald Lee and Tariq Watson. Returning starter Colby Dempsey also took his name out of the portal, which was huge. Mix in sophomore Ricky Lee III and it will be an intriguing fall camp when it comes to finding a cornerback rotation. Trey Miles missed spring practice after having shoulder surgery. He will ease his way into fall camp but could be a factor this season.
THREE PLAYERS READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP
James Smyre
Has the former inside linebacker found a home on the edge? The defensive coaching staff hopes that could be the case. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Central Phenix City High graduate, who began his college career at Marshall, might be poised to make an impact on defense after playing well on special teams coverage last season.
Zaire Flournoy
Last year should have been his breakout season but an Achilles Tendon injury during 2023 spring practice ended hopes of that. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive guard is one of the team leaders and could be a fixture up front.
Lee Beebe Jr.
We have seen flashes of Beebe’s ability. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound redshirt sophomore ended the 2023 season with 101 yards on seven carries, including scoring runs of 66 and 2 yards, in a loss at North Texas. He’s part of a backfield crowded at the top but is it his turn to be the first option?
TOP THREE NEWCOMERS (Non-spring semester arrival)
Troy Jakubec
The former Youngstown State standout cornerback is spending his final college season at UAB. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound redshirt senior will push for an immediate starting job.
Derrick Shepard Jr.
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle played in seven games as a redshirt freshman at Cincinnati. He is expected to find a spot in the rotation at a position that looks to be deep and talented heading into fall camp.
Calib Perez
Is he a guard or is he a tackle? He has the ability and experience to play both. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Duke transfer was brought in to compete for a starting spot.
TOP THREE NEWCOMERS (Spring semester arrival)
LeDarrius Cox
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Indiana transfer, who began his college career at Ole Miss, was one of the most dominant defensive players during spring practice. He is cemented at one of the rotation spots on the defensive front.
Adrian Maddox
Versatility is what made Maddox stand out in spring practice. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Alabama State transfer could play safety or line up at the nickel.
DJ Jones
Jones showed signs of all-conference type ability during his first spring at UAB. As of now, the Murray State transfer is penciled in at right tackle but it’s possible he could slide over to the left side if needed.
THREE TRUE FRESHMEN TO WATCH
Tylan McNichols
Trent Dilfer compared McNichols to Amare Thomas during an earlier interview. They play different positions – McNichols is a linebacker and Thomas is a wide receiver – but Dilfer said the way McNichols carries himself as a youngster is similar to the way Thomas approached his first college season. Some thought that the 6-foot, 215-pound Mississippi native would play safety but he gets his first shot at linebacker.
J’Quan Mason
UAB coaches expect big things from the 6-foot-4, 220-pound edge defender from Birmingham Metro product J’Quan Mason of McAdory High. Will he get that chance right away?
Wyatt Martin
Will the kicker from Nashville push Jonah Delange as the field goal kicker or kickoff specialist?