The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Fall Camp Coverage: Practice No. 3
8/7/2020 3:11:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Wearing shoulder pads for the first time this camp, the UAB football team completed its third day of practice on Friday morning at the Football Operations Center.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
· As expected, the intensity was increased with the pads on. The Blazers implemented more hitting drills today and UAB will continue to work its way up to full pads as camp continues.
· Tight end Gerrit Prince had a standout day. The 6-foot-5 senior has appeared in 18 career games and could be poised to see a major increase in production this season.
· On defense, one of the two vacant starting positions is at the defensive tackle position. One player that has turned some heads is graduate transfer Tyree Turner. Turner looks explosive and powerful, and along with his physicality, he brings a ton of playing experience and All-Conference accolades with him from South Alabama.
HEAD COACH BILL CLARK:
Opening statement:
"It makes all the difference getting to put the pads on. The guys were looking forward to it. You just feel safer with them on and more protected. We want to see guys being able to block and get off blocks and lock up. We are always trying to stay off the ground. It was a good first day in pads. I think they have taken a lot of steps. There is a long way to go, but it was a good day."
On looking forward after Day 3 of Fall Camp . . .
"Moving forward, we really want to get better on practice. I told them today how blessed they are to have a pavilion to practice under. We can protect them. We have to continue to get better and the big thing is learning how to practice against each other. They did a good job of that today. That's an art to be able to do that. I think our enthusiasm was good. We have more guys that can play. Like always, we have a few guys that are banged up and out for different things. That is just a chance for other guys to step up."
On veteran leadership . . .
"I see those guys talking to the younger guys and encouraging them. They are giving them hints and details of things they can do better. That's what you should do. When we have our senior leadership group meeting, we talk about taking those guys under your wing like somebody did for you earlier."
Right Tackle Sidney Wells:
On the start of camp . . .
"First and foremost, it's an absolute blessing to even have this opportunity with everything going on. Practice has been great. The defense has been flying around. The offense is starting to figure things out. I can't complain. It's wonderful."
On expectations for the offensive line . . .
"Our expectation is championships. That's all we have been talking about. That's how we have been working. I know me and my guys can get it done because of how we work and who our coach is, first and foremost. I can't brag on those guys enough. They always try to push us and make us better, not just as a player, but as a person."
On competition within the offensive line . . .
"It's up for grabs. Coach (Richard) Owens tells us that we have to be on our Ps and Qs. My spot is not solidified. I have to be on my Ps and Qs. There are guys over here pushing me and I am pushing them to be better. It's up in the air."
UAB will be back on the practice field Saturday morning for their fourth day of fall camp, and will then be off Sunday. For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.
