UAB Football Spring Preview: The Defense

UAB Football Spring Preview: The Defense

2/21/2018 8:44:00 AM | Football

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Despite the loss of some key graduates, the UAB defense returns a host of talent which includes seven starters and a crop of underclassmen ready to fill vacated positions.

The leadership of Tevin Crews, Shaq Jones and Darious Williams will be missed on and off the field, as those three were the face of the program during its reinstatement, but a cast of returners played a major role in the success of the defense in 2017 which finished 41^st nationally in total defense.

Starting with the defensive line, Teko Powell leaves a starting role open at defensive tackle, but he is the only loss heading into the spring.

All-Conference USA performer Garrett Marino thrived at the end of 2017 when thrusted into the starting lineup, while fellow co-starter Anthony Rush played a major role as well. Those two combined for 67 total tackles and 17 TFL and should only see those number increase in 2018. Quindarius Thagard also returns as an interior lineman who played in 12 games with four starts.

UAB's top pass rusher off the edge, Stacy Keely, had a team-high four sacks in 2017 and is moving to Jack linebacker, while Zachary Williams and mid-year enrollee Antonio Moultrie look to bolster the pass rush as well. Seniors Bentley Easley and Michael Wright also have an opportunity for playing time next season and look to capitalize on a good spring.

The linebacker position is wide open heading into spring practice, with two starting positions left open by Crews at middle linebacker and Jones at Jack linebacker.

The Jack left available by Jones will see players switching positions to vie for the starting spot, including the aforementioned Keely, along with Jamell Garcia-Williams, Craig Kanyangarara, Tre' Crawford and Kylen Binn, who at 6-foot-6, 245 lbs., moves from quarterback to linebacker this spring.

In the traditional linebacker role, Fitzgerald Mofor heads into his junior season with the most experience as he started all 13 games in 2017 and finished with 71 tackles, the third most on the team.

After having a productive true freshman campaign in which he collected 32 tackles, big things are expected from sophomore Thomas Johnston, who looks to claim the starting spot left available by Crews. Johnston played in all 13 games, made one start and added two TFL, a sack and a forced fumble in his rookie campaign.

Chris Woolbright also saw extended playing time last season and will once again be in the mix to have a role as a linebacker. Another linebacker to keep an eye on is Kristopher Moll, who played in 12 games as a true freshman on special teams and could benefit from a good spring moving into the 2018 season.

Keilan Knight was a constant on special teams as a freshman and has an opportunity to see time at outside linebacker, while Luke Brasher and Adrienne Talan saw time on special teams last year as well and can also contend for playing time.

The loss of First Team All-Conference USA performer Darious Williams at cornerback will be felt, but D.A. Williams and Brontae Harris combined to start opposite of Williams and enter their senior and sophomore seasons with a ton of playing experience.

Dy'jonn Turner and Will Boler will also use this spring to vie for playing time. Turner played in five games on special teams as a true freshman, while Boler redshirted and is eligible to start playing in 2018.

The safety position is anchored by Broderick Thomas, who was arguably UAB's best defensive player last year and earned All-Conference USA Honorable Mention. Thomas had 95 total tackles and two interceptions and is poised to be one of the best players in C-USA as a senior.

Thomas is surrounded by a substantial number of players who were key contributors a year ago in Will Dawkins, Mar'Sean Diggs, Duke Culver and Clay Templeton, while the redshirts are now off Grayson Cash, David Acfalle and Kobe Griffin.

UAB begins spring practice on Tuesday, Feb. 27, and concludes it with the Pepsi Spring Game on April 7 at Legion Field with kick set for 1 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking here or calling the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.

Season tickets for the 2018 campaign are also on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.