The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
The McWilliams Brothers Journey to Leading the UAB Defense
8/21/2023 1:28:00 PM | Football
Student Media Feature Written by Maya Kitchens
BIRMINGHAM – Mac McWilliams and Fish McWilliams are two star defenders on the UAB football team, and they just happen to be brothers as well. The brothers are from Pensacola, Fla., but the first time they played together was when Mac joined Fish on the field at UAB back in the fall of 2020. "In high school, we always went against each other…now that we're on the same team, I just enjoy it every day, and it's a blessing," said cornerback Mac McWilliams.
Senior defensive lineman Fish McWilliams started his career with the Blazers in 2018. After redshirting his freshman year, Fish became a staple on UAB's defense. During the 2022 season, Fish was a standout player and helped UAB lead Conference USA in almost every defensive category. He was named to the Second Team All-Conference USA team and was one of the top interior linemen in Conference USA. Fish started all 13 games and had 32 total tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, four quarterback hurries, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
After a long journey with the Blazers, this will be Fish McWilliams' last season in Birmingham. "The city of Birmingham means a lot to me. I've spent a big part of my life here, and UAB was the team that took me in and gave me my scholarship," said Fish. He says the change to the American Athletic Conference will be instrumental in UAB's success, now and in the future, and he is ready to get back to the conference championship. "I don't care about my own stats, as long as we are winning as a team," said Fish. This summer, Fish was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, which honors the top interior linemen in the nation, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, which honors the top defensive player in all of college football.
Mac McWilliams knew that he wanted to be a Blazer and join his brother after Fish McWilliams' official visit to UAB. "Just seeing how the environment was when I came on the visit with him when I was little… I liked everything about it, and [Fish] was here too," Mac said. Fish describes playing with his brother as "a dream come true." Fish says the game has become more special with the addition of his brother and he knows his brother has his back, as the two are usually on the field at the same time during games.
After committing to the Blazers in 2020, Mac McWilliams quickly made a name for himself. During the 2021 season, Mac was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team for his efforts and statistics on the field. During the 2022 season, he led Conference USA in passes defended until he suffered an injury in the middle of the season, which sidelined him. In seven games, Mac recorded 19 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Before his season ending injury, UAB was ranked number two in the nation for pass defense.
Although his injury ended his season last year, Mac McWilliams did not let that overcome him or change his football journey. "I set my mind on things, and I just try to pursue them," Mac said. "If an injury comes my way, I look at it as a steppingstone. I just keep going." Going into this season, Mac is fully healthy and looks to once again be one the top cornerbacks in the league.
Off the field, the brothers enjoy playing video games, specifically Madden, and hanging out with their teammates and families. Watch the McWilliams brothers in action during UAB's first game of the season against North Carolina A&T on Aug. 31.
BIRMINGHAM – Mac McWilliams and Fish McWilliams are two star defenders on the UAB football team, and they just happen to be brothers as well. The brothers are from Pensacola, Fla., but the first time they played together was when Mac joined Fish on the field at UAB back in the fall of 2020. "In high school, we always went against each other…now that we're on the same team, I just enjoy it every day, and it's a blessing," said cornerback Mac McWilliams.
Senior defensive lineman Fish McWilliams started his career with the Blazers in 2018. After redshirting his freshman year, Fish became a staple on UAB's defense. During the 2022 season, Fish was a standout player and helped UAB lead Conference USA in almost every defensive category. He was named to the Second Team All-Conference USA team and was one of the top interior linemen in Conference USA. Fish started all 13 games and had 32 total tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, four quarterback hurries, two sacks, and a forced fumble.
After a long journey with the Blazers, this will be Fish McWilliams' last season in Birmingham. "The city of Birmingham means a lot to me. I've spent a big part of my life here, and UAB was the team that took me in and gave me my scholarship," said Fish. He says the change to the American Athletic Conference will be instrumental in UAB's success, now and in the future, and he is ready to get back to the conference championship. "I don't care about my own stats, as long as we are winning as a team," said Fish. This summer, Fish was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, which honors the top interior linemen in the nation, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, which honors the top defensive player in all of college football.
Mac McWilliams knew that he wanted to be a Blazer and join his brother after Fish McWilliams' official visit to UAB. "Just seeing how the environment was when I came on the visit with him when I was little… I liked everything about it, and [Fish] was here too," Mac said. Fish describes playing with his brother as "a dream come true." Fish says the game has become more special with the addition of his brother and he knows his brother has his back, as the two are usually on the field at the same time during games.
After committing to the Blazers in 2020, Mac McWilliams quickly made a name for himself. During the 2021 season, Mac was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team for his efforts and statistics on the field. During the 2022 season, he led Conference USA in passes defended until he suffered an injury in the middle of the season, which sidelined him. In seven games, Mac recorded 19 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Before his season ending injury, UAB was ranked number two in the nation for pass defense.
Although his injury ended his season last year, Mac McWilliams did not let that overcome him or change his football journey. "I set my mind on things, and I just try to pursue them," Mac said. "If an injury comes my way, I look at it as a steppingstone. I just keep going." Going into this season, Mac is fully healthy and looks to once again be one the top cornerbacks in the league.
Off the field, the brothers enjoy playing video games, specifically Madden, and hanging out with their teammates and families. Watch the McWilliams brothers in action during UAB's first game of the season against North Carolina A&T on Aug. 31.
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