UAB Football Spring Preview: The Offense

UAB Football Spring Preview: The Offense

2/15/2018 12:47:00 PM | Football

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - As the UAB football teams eyes its return to the field for spring practice, there is a contagious optimism about an offense that brings back 10 starters.

Add to that Bryant Vincent, who resumes his role as offensive coordinator after serving in the same position for the Blazers during the 2014 season when UAB virtually set every offensive record in school history.

The offense starts with UAB's record-setting backfield consisting of All-Conference USA quarterback A.J. Erdely and Freshman All-American running back Spencer Brown.

Erdely gained valuable experience in 2017 and started every game en route to throwing for 2,331 and 16 touchdowns, while completing 60 percent of his passes. He added a school-record tying 13 rushing touchdowns and his 29 total touchdowns were the second most in school history.

Opposing defenses will game plan to stop Brown in his sophomore campaign after erupting onto the scene as a true freshman, which resulted in him earning FWAA Freshman All-America honors and being named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year. Brown put together the third-most rushing yards in school history with 1,329 and had six 100-yard rushing games along the way. His career high of 209 yards came at Southern Miss when he broke Jordan Howard's freshman rushing record.

It was only fitting that he ran for 209 yards against the Golden Eagles, becoming the first opposing player from any team to rush for over 200 yards in a game at Southern Miss since - none other than Jordan Howard (262 yards in 2014).

Add to the mix Ole Miss transfer and Hewitt-Trussville product Jarrion Street and the ultra-reliable James Noble III, who averaged 5.6 yards per carry in 2017, and the running back position looks to be a major strength heading into the 2018 campaign.

The backfield benefits from an offensive line that returns four-of-five starters and its top reserve in Rishard Cook, who essentially served as a co-starter in 2017.

All-Conference left guard Chris Schleuger is gone to graduation, but Cook will vie for that spot, which is sandwiched between All-Conference left tackle James Davis and center Lee Dufour, who both started all 13 games a season ago. On the right side of the line, Justice Powers was rock solid at right tackle and started all 13 games, while Malique Johnson made 10 starts at right guard. Collectively the line boasts a ton of game experience.

Newcomers Colby Ragland and Andrew Smith Jr. will push for immediate playing time, while returners Greg Fecanin, David Galten, Bryant Novick and Patrick Nuss (redshirted in 17) add immediate depth to the line.

The receiving corps is headlined by All-Conference USA Honorable Mention performer Andre Wilson who had 54 catches for 677 yards and six touchdowns, all three of which rank inside the top 10 for a single season.

Fellow receivers Collin Lisa and Ronnie Turner Jr. return as the second and third leading receivers as Lisa hauled in 33 passes for 439, while Turner Jr. added 28 catches for 262 yards.

Midyear additions TaDarryl Marshall, Kendall Parham and Austin Watkins join other experienced receivers in Xavier Ubosi, Sederian Copeland, Kailon Carter, Demetrius Davis Justin Walker and Kevin Davis (redshirt in 2017).

Rounding out the offense is the tight end position which brings back its two starters from last year in Hayden Pittman and Logan Scott. Former running back Donnie Lee will transition to tight end after ranking fourth on the team a year ago with 19 catches for 158 yards. Thair Blakes and Skylor Clinton are still recovering from last year's injuries, while true freshman Logan Arnold is in the mix as well.

Spring practice is set to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and it culminates with the Pepsi Spring Game on April 7 at Legion Field. Tickets are on sale now for $5 and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 205-975-UAB1.