The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Positional Preview: The Linebackers
7/1/2020 9:36:00β―AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM β Highlighted by one of the best players in Conference USA, senior linebacker Kristopher Moll leads one of the brightest spots for a defense that has finished top 10 nationally in each of the last two years.
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A First Team All-Conference USA selection last year, Moll aims for All-America status in his final season and anticipates being a nominee for all of the major preseason national award.
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Despite missing this first game of last year, Moll still compiled 104 total tackles and added 16.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries and one interception, fumble recovery and pass breakup. He was the only player in C-USA to rank top 10 in tackles, TFL and sacks. Β
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Moll isn't the only productive linebacker as redshirt junior Noah Wilder was the team's second leading tackler a year ago, compiling 85 tackles, 10.5 TFL and 3.0 sacks. Like Moll, Wilder appeared in and started 13 of 14 games last year.
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The one game Wilder didn't start, redshirt senior Luke Brasher filled the void vs. Old Dominion and is an experienced veteran who has appeared in over 30 games during his career. Brasher is a two-time CoSIDA Academic First Team selection.
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Another pair of veteran players have made the move to inside linebacker in seniors Thomas Johnston and Jarrion Street. Johnston was an outside linebacker last year and has played in all 41 games since UAB returned to action in 2017. Street played safety last year but had a season ending injury in the first game of the season. He had eight tackles and a sack in that contest vs. Alabama State.
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Redshirt sophomore Deshaun Oliver Jr. was having a great spring season and will be in contention for playing time, as well as a pair of redshirt freshmen in Will Conner and LJ Smith III. True freshmen Tamarious Brown and Allen Merrick round out the LB unit.
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Moll and the linebackers look to lead UAB to its third straight C-USA West Division title. The Blazers have won the most games (28) in Conference USA since returning to action in 2017, are 20-6 vs. league opponents and 16-2 vs. West division foes during that time frame. UAB returns 18 starters entering 2020. Β
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Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with theΒ Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority forΒ Protective StadiumΒ entering 2021.Β Click hereΒ to purchase season tickets.Β Β
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A First Team All-Conference USA selection last year, Moll aims for All-America status in his final season and anticipates being a nominee for all of the major preseason national award.
Β
Despite missing this first game of last year, Moll still compiled 104 total tackles and added 16.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries and one interception, fumble recovery and pass breakup. He was the only player in C-USA to rank top 10 in tackles, TFL and sacks. Β
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Moll isn't the only productive linebacker as redshirt junior Noah Wilder was the team's second leading tackler a year ago, compiling 85 tackles, 10.5 TFL and 3.0 sacks. Like Moll, Wilder appeared in and started 13 of 14 games last year.
Β
The one game Wilder didn't start, redshirt senior Luke Brasher filled the void vs. Old Dominion and is an experienced veteran who has appeared in over 30 games during his career. Brasher is a two-time CoSIDA Academic First Team selection.
Β
Another pair of veteran players have made the move to inside linebacker in seniors Thomas Johnston and Jarrion Street. Johnston was an outside linebacker last year and has played in all 41 games since UAB returned to action in 2017. Street played safety last year but had a season ending injury in the first game of the season. He had eight tackles and a sack in that contest vs. Alabama State.
Β
Redshirt sophomore Deshaun Oliver Jr. was having a great spring season and will be in contention for playing time, as well as a pair of redshirt freshmen in Will Conner and LJ Smith III. True freshmen Tamarious Brown and Allen Merrick round out the LB unit.
Β
Moll and the linebackers look to lead UAB to its third straight C-USA West Division title. The Blazers have won the most games (28) in Conference USA since returning to action in 2017, are 20-6 vs. league opponents and 16-2 vs. West division foes during that time frame. UAB returns 18 starters entering 2020. Β
Β
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with theΒ Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority forΒ Protective StadiumΒ entering 2021.Β Click hereΒ to purchase season tickets.Β Β
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