The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Opens Spring Practice Under Mortensen
3/18/2026 5:30:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB opened spring football practice Wednesday morning at the Legacy Pavilion, taking the first on-field step of the Alex Mortensen era. Mortensen said he was pleased with the energy and effort the Blazers showed in their first practice of the spring, even as the team worked through the natural nerves and anxiety that come with day one.
"We want them to keep that high desire to succeed," Mortensen said. "But now, if they can prepare a little more and learn from what we did now, maybe that anxiety can come down with it."
The Blazers entered spring practice with significant roster turnover, including 41 newcomers from the transfer portal and 8 high school signees. Mortensen said the coming weeks will be focused on both individual development and building cohesion across the team.
"I think right now, the way college football is, with the amount of turnover, you almost have to reestablish a culture every year," Mortensen said.
Mortensen said UAB's early points of emphasis include effort, toughness, discipline and accountability, along with continued player development and evaluation as the coaching staff learns more about the roster.
Senior quarterback Ryder Burton said Mortensen's consistency and honesty have already set the tone for the program.
"I think he's going to be incredible," Burton said. "He's a great leader, somebody that is incredibly consistent."
Burton also talked about how the Blazers establishing a physical, connected culture will be critical for a team working through transition in the spring.
"It's tough today with the transfer portal and you're constantly getting new teammates day in and day out," Burton said. "But I think what Coach Mort is trying to accomplish is just a team that's physical, a team that loves football and wants to play this game and wants to play for each other and for the city of Birmingham."
Mortensen also pointed to the return of wide receiver Kaleb Brown as a key boost for the offense. He said Brown was a priority to retain after the 2025 season and praised both his talent and leadership potential.
On the defensive side, coordinator Todd Grantham said discipline, accountability and toughness remain central to the standard he wants to establish. Grantham, who previously worked with Mortensen at Alabama, said that familiarity and Mortensen's leadership style were major reasons he came to UAB.
"With being with Coach Mortensen at Alabama, I knew that style of program would be here," Grantham said. "Even in today's world, you need to have those things to be able to fuel the competitiveness."
Linebacker Ike Esonwune, a transfer from Oklahoma State, said Grantham's defense requires study, repetition and communication, but believes the unit has embraced the challenge.
"It's an NFL system," Esonwune said. "Once you study it, learn it and apply it on the field, once we get more reps and repetition, it's all going to start coming together."
Mortensen said it remains too early to single out many individuals, but he likes the energy and attention to detail the team has brought into the spring.
UAB will continue spring practice Friday at 10 am at Legacy Pavilion.
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