UAB FOOTBALL FALL CAMP REPORT: Update on linebacker position group

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 4, 2024

Improvement at the inside linebacker position was a critical focus of the UAB defensive coaching staff during the offseason. Turning that position around is a work in progress for UAB linebacker coach Kenwick Thompson and defensive coordinator Sione Ta’ufo’ou. Thompson, who is also the program’s assistant head coach, stopped by after practice during the first week in fall camp to talk about the progress of that group.

What is your assessment of where your linebackers are as a group right now?

“Well, I think that, in comparison the way we've been before, I think we're definitely more athletic than we've been. I think guys have been in the system, so there's a lot of reps returning, versus what it was last year. I'm really happy with the work ethic, the way the guys have committed to doing the things that we asked them to do. My expectations, I think that they'll benefit from it because they work really hard. We're always fighting to stay healthy. But I think that if they continue to grow, working this process that we got them in, I think that their best football is in front of them.”

Do you build around OC Brothers, Michael Moore and Everett Roussaw Jr.?

“I think the expectation for those three is really high like. Roussaw played as a true freshman and also (came) in early. You know got a lot of reps from Michael Moore. OC brought in a lot of reps with him coming from his previous school. So yes, the expectation is that we'll benefit from that. But yeah, it's built around them. We got some young guys that's going to add some depth as well as special teams. Linebackers are spread all through special teams. In order for our special teams to be better, those guys, all those guys have got to contribute.”

Who are some of the young guys that you have to count on to be rotation players?

“Jason Riles is a run-hit guy, young guy that is explosive, former defensive back. Tylan McNichols is a guy that graduated early, so he came at semester. He's a run -hit guy, really athletic, and he's going to make his mark on special teams as he learns the other part of the defense. We're depending heavily on those guys. All of them are athletic. We’re looking for those guys to contribute versus spread teams where we got to get more athletes on the field, and we feel like that they should be able to do that. Jax Van Zandt, the player who transferred from North Texas, a local guy (from Thompson) has come in with some experience too. All those guys prepare as if they're going to be the guy, because over the course of the season, they will be at some point. When is just the question, so I think they work ethic is keeping them prepared for when that opportunity comes.”

How much does Michael Moore’s inside-outside versatility help what you can do with this group?

“It does help because of the fact that it's the next best guy. If for some reason we had to move Mike to another position we could do that. He's played all, he's even played at the line of scrimmage. That just shows his versatility. And because he wants to continue to play at the next level, he gives himself an opportunity to be not be put in a box. We could see this young man can play all three positions. And so that's an advantage for anybody. And we have to be smart with it. But at the same time, he gives us some opportunity to do some different things.”

As a coach, especially as a position coach, when you see your group so much, do you feel like you learn more as later in fall camp than you do in the early days?

“Well, I think any coach, if he's doing what he's supposed to do, I look at it as that we're working together. They're evolving as players, we're evolving as coaches, trying to figure out how to get the most out of the player. You want to be fair to guys which we are, but you definitely want to make adjustments based on what the need is. We're trying to get everybody to be the best that they can be. That's different for different guys. So as a coach, you got to figure out what's the best way, on and off the field, to get a guy to reach his full potential. If he does that, we got a great chance. We're always learning, we're making adjustments, whether it be physically, whether it be mentally, whether it be a rep count, whether it be injuries. We're always trying to figure out the best way to get the best out of them and be good on that particular day. And I think that the guys have really done a good job, the coaches are really working to try to make sure we do the right things. Because the one thing we don't have is a bunch of time, we got to get everybody ready to go. I think right now at where we're at, we feel good about it. But it's one day at a time.”