The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jacob Zeno’s Path to Representing UAB at AAC Media Days
7/21/2023 4:27:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno said he is ready for the upcoming season, where the UAB Blazers are competing in new territory: the American Athletic Conference. "I think it's good exposure for the school, for the city," he said. The Blazers joined the American Athletic Conference on July 1, after being a part of Conference USA for football since 1999.
Although the starter for the coveted quarterback position hasn't been named, Zeno remains a frontrunner. While being named the starter is important to him, Zeno said he and the coaching staff are looking at the bigger picture. "[The coaches] are just finding different ways on how we can make the offense better…and how we could just be a complete team," said Zeno.
Before his time at UAB, Zeno, a Texas native, enrolled at Baylor University in 2019. Zeno says Baylor helped him prepare mentality. "On the field, that's going to take care of itself. But, preparing off the field with a classroom, with film study, with the playbook…that makes the 'on the field' play easier," he said. After playing in three games in his third season at Baylor, Zeno was looking for a fresh start. That time off from football taught him patience and resilience during a time of adversity. In December 2021, he transferred to UAB and suited up for the Blazers during the 2022 season. During the 2022 season, Zeno appeared in nine games while passing for 721 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Zeno saw a lot of potential with UAB, especially when he visited. "They took me in like I was a part of the team already. It was really different from all the other schools I talked to," he said. Zeno also says he fell in love with the city of Birmingham, especially the trees, since his home of San Antonio doesn't have many. Zeno describes himself as a "country boy," and enjoys fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors, but also video games and watching movies.
Zeno said his biggest advice to young football players is to "keep it like a kid's game." With the emergence of NIL in the college space, Zeno says, "At the higher levels…it starts to be more like a business."
Jacob Zeno will be representing UAB Football at the American Athletics Conference media days on July 24-25.
Although the starter for the coveted quarterback position hasn't been named, Zeno remains a frontrunner. While being named the starter is important to him, Zeno said he and the coaching staff are looking at the bigger picture. "[The coaches] are just finding different ways on how we can make the offense better…and how we could just be a complete team," said Zeno.
Before his time at UAB, Zeno, a Texas native, enrolled at Baylor University in 2019. Zeno says Baylor helped him prepare mentality. "On the field, that's going to take care of itself. But, preparing off the field with a classroom, with film study, with the playbook…that makes the 'on the field' play easier," he said. After playing in three games in his third season at Baylor, Zeno was looking for a fresh start. That time off from football taught him patience and resilience during a time of adversity. In December 2021, he transferred to UAB and suited up for the Blazers during the 2022 season. During the 2022 season, Zeno appeared in nine games while passing for 721 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Zeno saw a lot of potential with UAB, especially when he visited. "They took me in like I was a part of the team already. It was really different from all the other schools I talked to," he said. Zeno also says he fell in love with the city of Birmingham, especially the trees, since his home of San Antonio doesn't have many. Zeno describes himself as a "country boy," and enjoys fishing, hunting, and anything outdoors, but also video games and watching movies.
Zeno said his biggest advice to young football players is to "keep it like a kid's game." With the emergence of NIL in the college space, Zeno says, "At the higher levels…it starts to be more like a business."
Jacob Zeno will be representing UAB Football at the American Athletics Conference media days on July 24-25.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballUAB Baseball | The Quick Cut: at Alabama
Thursday, April 23
UAB Beach Volleyball | The Quick Cut: Blazer Beach Bash
Saturday, April 18
UAB Softball | The Quick Cut: Memphis Series
Thursday, April 09
UAB vs ECU Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, March 08
