The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Football Completes Day One of 2022 Fall Camp
8/1/2022 4:43:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team opened the 2022 season on Monday morning with its first practice of fall camp at the Football Operations Center.
THREE TAKEAWAYS:
UAB went on sale with single game tickets today to the general public. Season tickets are still available starting as low as $90.
HEAD COACH BRYANT VINCENT:
Opening Statement:
"The energy and effort was really at a high level. I thought we bounced around and went from drill-to-drill, station-to-station really well. I think we played well together, protected each other, but really got after it. Overall, it was a really solid day."
On how it feels to be the head coach:
"It was refreshing to get on the field. We've had a great summer. We've had great workouts and we have great chemistry. Our kids care about each other and love each other. But to actually get on the field and practice felt really good.
On what excites him the most about this opportunity:
"Just the opportunity to lead this team. UAB is very personal to me and my family. Birmingham is personal, this football program is personal to us. To be able to get out there and lead these kids, to mentor them and start this journey of the 2022 season is very special.
On the recruiting efforts:
"We understand the situation we are in. Our connections and our relationships throughout this state are extremely strong. They know who we are. They know what we stand for and where are going. They know our expectations and standards because we set them. They realize this is a great program. This is a top five Group of 5 programs. Relationships are the key without a doubt. These high school coaches in the state know who we are and know what we are going to do with their kids.
On what he wants to see throughout camp:
"The biggest thing is I want us to continue to grow and build as a team, daily. I don't think this team is built yet. We can continue to lay bricks daily. If you are just talking about offense, one thing exciting to see is who is going to replace Hayden Pittman and Gerrit Prince. Who is going to step up at the tight end position? Because really, we have eight starters back, and those are two guys that we lost so we want to see who will step up and take that tight end position.
SENIOR LINEBACKER NOAH WILDER
On how it felt to be back on the field:
"I feel great, you know, it's probably the best summer coming from the coaches and players standpoint that we've ever had here at UAB. We're faster, we're stronger and I feel like we're pulling together a lot better this year too. The chemistry this year is very good. Just being able to go out there, this year, with this group of guys. I've been here maybe, this is my fourth year I believe, and just finishing my last year with these guys I love them and I'm excited about the season."
On Coach Vincent:
"Coach [Bryant Vincent] has been here as long as I remember. Coach [Bill Clark] did a great job and we miss him but Coach [Bryant Vincent] we're excited about having him this year. He's a great man, a great coach and he's a great leader. He preaches about family, he keeps that motto we had over the past few years, he keeps that going strong and I really respect Coach [Bryant Vincent] a lot. I think he's got some big things he's going to do this year with this team. We're behind him all the way."
On his teammates stepping up:
"I'm excited to see all those guys. The defensive backs back there, they've been working hard. Grayson Cash, Keondre Swoopes, Starling Thomas V, I can go on and on about every one of them. I'm really excited about the back end because they look really, really good this summer. Same with front seven too, you know, those are my dogs right there – they keep the linemen off me, so I got to put a little respect on them too, but you know we're going to handle the front seven."
JUNIOR QUARTERBACK DYLAN HOPKINS
On how it feels to be back on the field:
"It feels awesome. Last year just everyday dealing with the ligament tear and what not and the missing spring, it was hard watching the whole time. But getting out here today was awesome. Especially with some of the new faces out there, but honestly it was awesome."
On what he took from the summer heading into Fall camp:
"I think right now, especially with camp, just getting better each day. Just not having the same mistakes yesterday and just getting better each and every day."
On what it was like sitting out during the spring:
"It was tough. Especially ending the way we did with BYU, ending with that and then everyone coming back super excited for the season. So, it was definitely tough, but the main thing for me was to get healthy from that point just dealing with all that shoulder stuff last year."
On having Jacob Zeno:
"Oh it's huge. I mean we defiantly want competition in this room especially if someone gets hurt, we always want another guy coming in, being prepared and I think [Damon Stewart] and [Bryson Lucero] are still looking really good and still pushing too."
THREE TAKEAWAYS:
- On what felt like a fall day with temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s, the Blazers competed in just helmets today and will progress to shells later in the week. Head Coach Bryant Vincent noted that he was pleased that the veteran-led team was well organized and did a good job of protecting each other today.
- With the departures of Hayden Pittman and Gerrit Prince, the tight end position is one that Coach Vincent and the offense will look for someone to emerge as a starter throughout camp. Terrell McDonald has the most playing experience, while Maleak Bryant, at 6-foot-6, 245 lbs, is fully healthy and was showing off his skills today. Bryce Damous enters his second year in the offense and is also a name to keep an eye on.
- Quarterback Dylan Hopkins took live reps for the first time today since UAB's 31-28 Independence Bowl victory over BYU back in December. Hopkins had offseason surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. The quarterback room is stronger than it has ever been with Jacob Zeno, Bryson Lucero and Damon Stewart all pushing Hopkins this fall camp.
UAB went on sale with single game tickets today to the general public. Season tickets are still available starting as low as $90.
HEAD COACH BRYANT VINCENT:
Day 1 ✅
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) August 1, 2022
Hear from HC @bryantvincent44 following UAB's first day of fall camp. #WinAsOne pic.twitter.com/mZR8PPWkM1
Opening Statement:
"The energy and effort was really at a high level. I thought we bounced around and went from drill-to-drill, station-to-station really well. I think we played well together, protected each other, but really got after it. Overall, it was a really solid day."
On how it feels to be the head coach:
"It was refreshing to get on the field. We've had a great summer. We've had great workouts and we have great chemistry. Our kids care about each other and love each other. But to actually get on the field and practice felt really good.
On what excites him the most about this opportunity:
"Just the opportunity to lead this team. UAB is very personal to me and my family. Birmingham is personal, this football program is personal to us. To be able to get out there and lead these kids, to mentor them and start this journey of the 2022 season is very special.
On the recruiting efforts:
"We understand the situation we are in. Our connections and our relationships throughout this state are extremely strong. They know who we are. They know what we stand for and where are going. They know our expectations and standards because we set them. They realize this is a great program. This is a top five Group of 5 programs. Relationships are the key without a doubt. These high school coaches in the state know who we are and know what we are going to do with their kids.
On what he wants to see throughout camp:
"The biggest thing is I want us to continue to grow and build as a team, daily. I don't think this team is built yet. We can continue to lay bricks daily. If you are just talking about offense, one thing exciting to see is who is going to replace Hayden Pittman and Gerrit Prince. Who is going to step up at the tight end position? Because really, we have eight starters back, and those are two guys that we lost so we want to see who will step up and take that tight end position.
SENIOR LINEBACKER NOAH WILDER
On how it felt to be back on the field:
"I feel great, you know, it's probably the best summer coming from the coaches and players standpoint that we've ever had here at UAB. We're faster, we're stronger and I feel like we're pulling together a lot better this year too. The chemistry this year is very good. Just being able to go out there, this year, with this group of guys. I've been here maybe, this is my fourth year I believe, and just finishing my last year with these guys I love them and I'm excited about the season."
On Coach Vincent:
"Coach [Bryant Vincent] has been here as long as I remember. Coach [Bill Clark] did a great job and we miss him but Coach [Bryant Vincent] we're excited about having him this year. He's a great man, a great coach and he's a great leader. He preaches about family, he keeps that motto we had over the past few years, he keeps that going strong and I really respect Coach [Bryant Vincent] a lot. I think he's got some big things he's going to do this year with this team. We're behind him all the way."
On his teammates stepping up:
"I'm excited to see all those guys. The defensive backs back there, they've been working hard. Grayson Cash, Keondre Swoopes, Starling Thomas V, I can go on and on about every one of them. I'm really excited about the back end because they look really, really good this summer. Same with front seven too, you know, those are my dogs right there – they keep the linemen off me, so I got to put a little respect on them too, but you know we're going to handle the front seven."
JUNIOR QUARTERBACK DYLAN HOPKINS
On how it feels to be back on the field:
"It feels awesome. Last year just everyday dealing with the ligament tear and what not and the missing spring, it was hard watching the whole time. But getting out here today was awesome. Especially with some of the new faces out there, but honestly it was awesome."
On what he took from the summer heading into Fall camp:
"I think right now, especially with camp, just getting better each day. Just not having the same mistakes yesterday and just getting better each and every day."
On what it was like sitting out during the spring:
"It was tough. Especially ending the way we did with BYU, ending with that and then everyone coming back super excited for the season. So, it was definitely tough, but the main thing for me was to get healthy from that point just dealing with all that shoulder stuff last year."
On having Jacob Zeno:
"Oh it's huge. I mean we defiantly want competition in this room especially if someone gets hurt, we always want another guy coming in, being prepared and I think [Damon Stewart] and [Bryson Lucero] are still looking really good and still pushing too."
Players Mentioned
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