The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Positional Preview: The Defensive Backs
7/8/2020 9:06:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Arguably the deepest position of any unit for the Blazers, the UAB defensive backs boast four All-Conference USA performers and major experience entering the 2020 season.
This group has helped UAB finish top 10 nationally in total defense each of the past two years, while also ranking top 15 in passing yards allowed the last two seasons (2018 – 14th, 2019 – 8th).
CORNERBACKS:
The CBs are stacked as lockdown corner and 2018 All-Conference USA performer Brontae Harris returns after missing the entire 2019 season with a foot injury, and joins fellow All-Conference USA performer TD Marshall.
Marshall made the switch from wide receiver to corner last year in fall camp and became the full-time starter midway through the season. He finished the year with 28 tackles and seven pass breakups, but his most notable play was a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown at North Texas. That touchdown proved to be the game-winning score as UAB secured its second-straight C-USA West Division title. Marshall should see his numbers spike dramatically playing a full season at corner, as he and Harris make a lethal 1-2 combination and have the attention of NFL scouts.
True junior Starling Thomas V started all 14 games at field corner last season, while fellow true junior CD Daniels made five starts. True sophomore Keondre Swoopes proved to be a key contributor in his rookie year by appearing in all 14 games and tallying five pass breakups.
Devodric Bynum enters his junior year after playing in all 14 games last season, while sophomore Xavier Lanier and incoming freshmen Dacarrion McWilliams (brother of Fish McWilliams) and Colby Dempsey round out the cornerback unit.
SAFETIES:
Dy'jonn Turner had a breakout junior campaign at the star safety position and is one of the top rated NFL prospect in Conference USA by Pro Football Focus entering his senior season. Turner finished with 45 total tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Conference USA accolades in 2019. Expectations for an even better senior year are high for Turner.
In his first year as the full-time starter at free safety, Will Boler also earned Honorable Mention All-C-USA and enters his junior year as one of the main leaders on defense. Boler was third on the team in total tackles with 58, while adding nine PBU and two interceptions. Fellow junior Grayson Cash inserted himself into the starting lineup midway through last year and had a very solid sophomore season, compiling 40 tackles, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles at strong safety.
Redshirt juniors Kobe Griffin and Kyle Harrell have each moved from linebacker to safety, and both contributed to the defensive success last year while also playing major roles on special teams.
Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Key, along with true sophomore Damon Miller both played on special teams last year and add continued depth at the safety position, while redshirt junior Monte Turner enters his first fully eligible season for the Blazers.
Troy Young joins the safety unit as a transfer from the University of Arizona. Incoming freshman Armani Maddox, along with redshirt freshmen Trent Davis and Sawyer Brady round out the safeties.
The Blazers look to win their third straight C-USA West Division title in 2020. UAB returns 18 total starters to a team that won the second most games (9) in program history a year ago.
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with the Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority for Protective Stadium entering 2021. Click here to purchase season tickets.
This group has helped UAB finish top 10 nationally in total defense each of the past two years, while also ranking top 15 in passing yards allowed the last two seasons (2018 – 14th, 2019 – 8th).
CORNERBACKS:
The CBs are stacked as lockdown corner and 2018 All-Conference USA performer Brontae Harris returns after missing the entire 2019 season with a foot injury, and joins fellow All-Conference USA performer TD Marshall.
Marshall made the switch from wide receiver to corner last year in fall camp and became the full-time starter midway through the season. He finished the year with 28 tackles and seven pass breakups, but his most notable play was a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown at North Texas. That touchdown proved to be the game-winning score as UAB secured its second-straight C-USA West Division title. Marshall should see his numbers spike dramatically playing a full season at corner, as he and Harris make a lethal 1-2 combination and have the attention of NFL scouts.
True junior Starling Thomas V started all 14 games at field corner last season, while fellow true junior CD Daniels made five starts. True sophomore Keondre Swoopes proved to be a key contributor in his rookie year by appearing in all 14 games and tallying five pass breakups.
Devodric Bynum enters his junior year after playing in all 14 games last season, while sophomore Xavier Lanier and incoming freshmen Dacarrion McWilliams (brother of Fish McWilliams) and Colby Dempsey round out the cornerback unit.
SAFETIES:
Dy'jonn Turner had a breakout junior campaign at the star safety position and is one of the top rated NFL prospect in Conference USA by Pro Football Focus entering his senior season. Turner finished with 45 total tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups en route to earning Honorable Mention All-Conference USA accolades in 2019. Expectations for an even better senior year are high for Turner.
In his first year as the full-time starter at free safety, Will Boler also earned Honorable Mention All-C-USA and enters his junior year as one of the main leaders on defense. Boler was third on the team in total tackles with 58, while adding nine PBU and two interceptions. Fellow junior Grayson Cash inserted himself into the starting lineup midway through last year and had a very solid sophomore season, compiling 40 tackles, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles at strong safety.
Redshirt juniors Kobe Griffin and Kyle Harrell have each moved from linebacker to safety, and both contributed to the defensive success last year while also playing major roles on special teams.
Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Key, along with true sophomore Damon Miller both played on special teams last year and add continued depth at the safety position, while redshirt junior Monte Turner enters his first fully eligible season for the Blazers.
Troy Young joins the safety unit as a transfer from the University of Arizona. Incoming freshman Armani Maddox, along with redshirt freshmen Trent Davis and Sawyer Brady round out the safeties.
The Blazers look to win their third straight C-USA West Division title in 2020. UAB returns 18 total starters to a team that won the second most games (9) in program history a year ago.
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with the Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority for Protective Stadium entering 2021. Click here to purchase season tickets.
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
S
/ Football
S
/ FootballCoffee with Coach | 2025 Week 4
Tuesday, September 16
UAB Athletics Live Stream
Monday, September 15
UAB Football Postgame Press Conference | Akron
Sunday, September 14
Coffee with Coach | 2025 Week 3
Tuesday, September 09
