What to Watch For at the UAB Football Pepsi Spring Game

What to Watch For at the UAB Football Pepsi Spring Game

4/7/2022 4:00:00 PM | Football

2022 Season Tickets

BIRMINGHAM – As the UAB football team concludes its spring season on Saturday with the Pepsi Spring Game at Protective Stadium (1 p.m. kick), here is what Blazer Nation should watch for heading into the game with a position-by-position breakdown.

QUARTERBACK:

With incumbent starter Dylan Hopkins out for the spring, Baylor transfer Jacob Zeno should take most of the snaps with the starting offense on Saturday. Veteran returner Bryson Lucero has been pushing Zeno, while JUCO transfer Damon Stewart and redshirt freshman Dylan Mehrotra will also take reps on Saturday.

RUNNING BACKS:

Junior DeWayne McBride (1,371 yards) and senior Jermaine Brown Jr. (631 yards) are proven backs who combined to rush for over 2,000 yards last season, so Saturday will present an opportunity for some newer backs to shine. Specifically, A.J. Gates, Zeus Perryman, Lee Witherspoon Dee Ware and Jarrett Crockett will all see playing time.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Arguably the deepest position on the team, big things are expected from the wideouts this season. It starts with Trea Shropshire, who led the nation in yards per catch a season ago. Tejhaun Palmer played two full seasons last year (JUCO in spring, FBS in fall) and some rest after the season has resulted in a very good spring for Palmer.

Two younger players in Fred Farrier II and Jordan Palmer have been turning heads this spring and will demonstrate their talents this Saturday. Both of their redshirt tags are off this season as they look to compete for starting roles. Farrier has excelled this spring in the slot, while Palmer is another big presence on the outside.

T.J. Jones continues to play a big role in the offense, and the Blazers have added local product and graduate transfer Dexter Boykin from North Alabama. Veteran Samario Rudolph is back for his junior year, while Ryan Davis and A.j. Davis have missed the spring due to injuries that were addressed after the season.

TIGHT ENDS:

The biggest question mark on offense is who will replace the production at tight end left by Gerrit Prince and Hayden Pittman. Terrell McDonald is the only returner with playing experience as he has played each of the last two seasons primarily as a blocking tight end. Expectations are high for redshirt freshman Brody Dalton and redshirt junior Bryce Damous as they each enter the their second year in the offense, while Maleak Bryant is healthy this season and will compete for playing time. Newcomer Dallas Payne is also in the mix.

OFFENSIVE LINE:

The offensive line is once again loaded with talent which returns four starters in tackles Kadeem Telfort and Sidney Wells, guard Matthew Trehern and center Will Rykard. Trey Bedosky, who was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team last season, looks to seize a starting role, but will be pushed by JUCO All-Americans Tater Reid and Quez Yates. Quincy McGee and Zaire Flournoy players who could see the field this season.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

The defensive line was the group hit the hardest by graduation and NFL draft hopefuls, and creates an opportunity for new names to step up. On the interior, Fish McWilliams returns with the most playing experience, while Isaiah Forte and Kevin Penn have seen action in a reserve role. On the edge, Kelle Sanders is the lone returning starter, but All-Conference performer Kyle Harrell is back, as is veteran Nikia Eason Jr.

LINEBACKERS:

Another very deep position for the Blazers, Noah Wilder anchors the linebackers, but a bunch of new faces will be seen on Saturday. Specifically, three transfers in Jackson Bratton (Alabama), Reynard Ellis (Georgia Southern) and Reise Collier (Coffeyville CC) will all compete for playing time with veterans Deshaun Oliver Jr. and Tyler Taylor missing spring practice. Another returning name to keep an eye on is Tamarious Brown who enters his third year in the systems and has great upside.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (CBs/S):

Undoubtedly the position group with the most returners is UAB's secondary. At safety, Will Boler and Grayson Cash are All-Conference players who have been with the team since 2017, and they are surrounded by a ton of veterans in Keondre Swoopes, Damon Miller, Damien Miller and Jaylen Key.

All four corner who saw significant playing time last year are back in Starling Thomas V, Mac McWilliams, CD Daniels and Devodric Bynum, while Colby Dempsey and Xavier Lanier also have playing experience.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

The specialists remain intact with third-year starter Matt Quinn handling kicking duties, fifth-year starter Kyle Greenwell at punter and second-year starter Cole Kizziah at long snapper. Reese Burkhardt won the kickoff job last year and should continue in that role with Wilson Beaverstock pushing both he and Quinn for playing time. Caden Long will back up Greenwell at punter and Xander Echols will back up Kizzah at long snapper as it stands now.

SPRING GAME TICKETS:

Tickets to the Pepsi Spring Game are general admission for $5 and can be purchased by clicking here. To purchase Stadium Club or suite tickets for the 2022 Pepsi Spring Game, please contact Blazer Boosters at (205) 996-9969. Tickets in these premium areas are designated for season ticket holders with hospitality access on a season basis.

SEASON TICKETS:

Season tickets for the 2022 UAB Football season are now available starting as low as $90. Season ticket packages will feature all six home games and provide the most cost-effective way to attend games during the second season at Protective Stadium. If you would like to renew your 2021 seating locations in Protective Stadium or take advantage of your Blazer Boosters priority to select new seats, please plan to renew your membership and purchase tickets prior to the April 1, 2022 UAB Football priority seat deadline.

For more information about season ticket pricing, call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1. Fans can also request more information by clicking here.