NCAA Football Preview - UAB Blazers
Sports Network | August 13, 2008
OFFENSE: The Blazers ranked last in the conference in rushing last season, so improving the ground game is an area of importance for UAB in 2008. Unfortunately, UAB has no clear cut No.1 tailback and that leaves a lot of uncertainty at the position. Sophomore Dexter Barnett and junior Justin Brooks are two candidates for the starting tailback spot, but the wildcard is junior Aaron Johns. The 5-10, 190-pound Johns, who once started a bowl game for Alabama, is easily one of the best athletes on the team, but he is still trying to work his way back to the program after failing to meet academic requirements in 2007.
While the running back position is unsettled, the quarterback spot in anything but thanks to the return of junior Joseph Webb. The 6-3, 220-pound Webb split time under center and at wideout last season and he appears ready to handle the full time quarterback duties in 2008. Last season, Webb threw for 679 yards and five scores and he should easily improve on those numbers with more reps under center.
With a strong group of returning wideouts, including sophomore Frantrell Forrest, the Blazers have the weapons to help Webb succeed this year. The 6-2, 195-pound Forrest has good speed and soft hands and he shined as a rookie, catching a team-best 49 passes for 563 yards and five scores. Forrest should have plenty of time to get downfield, as the Blazers return three starters on the offensive line.
DEFENSE: UAB started numerous underclassmen on defense last season and that should pay off in 2008. On the line, sophomore Bryant Turner has plenty of upside and he could emerge as a big time pass rusher. Last season, the 6-2, 260-pound Turner notched 31 tackles and eight TFLs and he has the speed and a year of experience to improve on those numbers.
The linebacking corps should also be sound and this group is led by senior Joe Henderson. The 6-2, 225-pound Henderson was a bright spot for this defense last year, leading the team with five sacks and ranking second with 109 tackles. He is also solid is pass coverage and that is an asset UAB will surely utilize.
Speaking of pass coverage, the Blazers return nearly every player in their secondary, although this unit was not highly ranked last season. Still, the return of senior safeties Will Dunbar and Matt Taylor, give the Blazers hope for a turnaround. The 6-1, 200-pound Dunbar is physical with outstanding ball skills and he was an all-league choice after recording a team-high 122 tackles in 2007. As for Taylor, he is 5-11, 185 pounds and he ranked third on the club with 70 stops.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The kicking game should be a strong point for UAB, as senior Swayze Waters returns for a third straight year as a starter. Waters converted 22-of-28 field goal attempts last year to earn all league honors, while also averaging a solid 41.4 yards per punt.
OUTLOOK: The Blazers still have a long way to go before they will be competing for a conference title, but the program is in much better shape than a year ago. UAB will probably be the doormat of C-USA once again, despite returning several starters on defense. This tea though, won't get pushed around like last year and that is all that anyone in Birmingham can really ask for right now.
