The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Fall Camp Coverage: Practice No. 3 – QBs
8/5/2021 2:20:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Think about this – The Blazers have three quarterbacks on the roster who have each started at least five games in their career. That's the true definition of depth.
Tyler Johnston III is the incumbent starter and enters his final year as a Blazer. Johnston III has already accomplished something no other quarterback at UAB has ever done, which is lead the Blazers to a Conference USA title – something he has done twice.
Johnston III is 13-5 as UAB's starter and ranks fourth in career touchdown passes (35) and fifth in career passing yards (4,429). He has done all of this without ever playing a full season.
In 2018 he started the final five games of the season in replacement of A.J. Erdely. In 2019, he started the first seven games before an injury at Tennessee, and last season he started the first two games before an injury at Miami. He was able to return for UAB's final two games and finished last season with 843 total passing yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception.
If Johnston can stay healthy, he has a chance to go down as one of the most prolific passers in program history.
And this is where the depth comes in. Two seasons ago, Dylan Hopkins replaced Johnston III and earned a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. He led the Blazers to a C-USA championship game appearance and finished 2019 at 3-2 as a starter.
Hopkins battled injuries in 2020, and the rise of redshirt freshman Bryson Lucero led to him taking the reins in game three of the season. In his first career start, Lucero threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns on nationally television as UAB defeated South Alabama 42-10. Like Hopkins, Lucero is also 3-2 as a starter.
And now in 2021, all three quarterback are healthy and look great through the first three days of camp. Johnston III is taking first team reps, while Hopkins and Lucero are right there competing alongside him.
"I think all of the quarterbacks look extremely good right now," said head coach Bill Clark. "They are all pushing each other and that is what we thought would happen coming into camp."
Having three veteran quarterbacks with game experience has proven to be a major asset thus far this camp as the level of play is extremely high with competition all over the field.
The Blazers are 27 days away from opening the season on Sept. 1 at the Montgomery Kickoff against Jacksonville State. Single game tickets are on sale by clicking here, while season tickets are also available here.
Tyler Johnston III is the incumbent starter and enters his final year as a Blazer. Johnston III has already accomplished something no other quarterback at UAB has ever done, which is lead the Blazers to a Conference USA title – something he has done twice.
Johnston III is 13-5 as UAB's starter and ranks fourth in career touchdown passes (35) and fifth in career passing yards (4,429). He has done all of this without ever playing a full season.
In 2018 he started the final five games of the season in replacement of A.J. Erdely. In 2019, he started the first seven games before an injury at Tennessee, and last season he started the first two games before an injury at Miami. He was able to return for UAB's final two games and finished last season with 843 total passing yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception.
If Johnston can stay healthy, he has a chance to go down as one of the most prolific passers in program history.
And this is where the depth comes in. Two seasons ago, Dylan Hopkins replaced Johnston III and earned a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. He led the Blazers to a C-USA championship game appearance and finished 2019 at 3-2 as a starter.
Hopkins battled injuries in 2020, and the rise of redshirt freshman Bryson Lucero led to him taking the reins in game three of the season. In his first career start, Lucero threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns on nationally television as UAB defeated South Alabama 42-10. Like Hopkins, Lucero is also 3-2 as a starter.
And now in 2021, all three quarterback are healthy and look great through the first three days of camp. Johnston III is taking first team reps, while Hopkins and Lucero are right there competing alongside him.
"I think all of the quarterbacks look extremely good right now," said head coach Bill Clark. "They are all pushing each other and that is what we thought would happen coming into camp."
Having three veteran quarterbacks with game experience has proven to be a major asset thus far this camp as the level of play is extremely high with competition all over the field.
The Blazers are 27 days away from opening the season on Sept. 1 at the Montgomery Kickoff against Jacksonville State. Single game tickets are on sale by clicking here, while season tickets are also available here.
Players Mentioned
UAB Softball | The Quick Cut: Memphis Series
Thursday, April 09
UAB vs ECU Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
UAB vs North Texas Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 01
UAB MBB vs Tulane Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, February 15
