News and Notes from UAB Football’s First Scrimmage

BIRMINGHAM – The UAB football team held its first scrimmage of spring practice on Friday morning at the Football Operations Center.

Friday's scrimmage marked UAB's 10th practice of the spring, which will culminate next Saturday, April 6, with the Spring Showcase at the Football Operations Center.

NEWS AND NOTES:

UAB has playmakers on offense. QB Jacob Zeno and WR Amare Thomas had breakout years in 2023, and RB Lee Beebe Jr. will have an increased role this year after showing flashes as a redshirt freshman last year, but other offensive weapons are poised for big things in 2024. WR Kameran Shanks looked dynamic with the ball at the scrimmage, as did WR BJ Hawkins Jr., while receivers Malachi Holt-Bennett and Brandon Buckhaulter were also featured throughout the day. With RB Isaiah Jacobs and WR Iverson "Strap" Hooks scheduled to come back fully healthy this fall, the offense will look to break the record they set last year for total yards per game (450.0).
The defense looks vastly improved and has added some key transfers that should contribute right away. Safety Adrian Maddox (Alabama State) had a standout day and defensive tackle LeDarrius Cox (Ole Miss/Indiana) could be a huge presence for UAB in the middle of the defensive line. Adding these pieces to a defense that only lost four starters last year and returns a host of veterans gives this unit an optimistic outlook heading in 2024.
The offensive line looks big and nasty. Heading into the season with a lot of experience, UAB also added grad transfer DJ Jones (Murray State) and South Carolina transfer JonDarius Morgan to a unit which brings back Will Parker, Quez Yates, Brady Wilson and Luke Jones. Additionally, Zaire Flournoy is back from injury and has looked the part of a starter during spring ball. This was a unit that didn't have much experience entering the 2023 season but looks to be a strength heading into 2024.

Next Saturday's Spring Showcase begins at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public. Check back with uabsports.com early next week for a full run-down of key information on parking and a schedule of events.

For more information on the UAB football team, be sure to follow at UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram.

News and Notes from UAB Football’s First Scrimmage

Players Mentioned

Lee Beebe Jr.

Brandon Buckhaulter

LD Cox

Zaire Flournoy

Brandon Hawkins Jr.

Malachi Holt-Bennett

Isaiah Jacobs

DJ Jones

Luke Jones

Adrian Maddox

JonDarius Morgan

Will Parker

Kam Shanks

Amare Thomas

Brady Wilson

Quez Yates

Jacob Zeno

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics