The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Spring Spotlight: Adam Lepkowski Sets the Tone Up Front
3/28/2026 10:31:00β―AM | Football
From walk-on to leader, veteran lineman anchors culture in new era of UAB football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. β Adam LepkowskiΒ doesn'tΒ say much about himself. HeΒ doesn'tΒ have to.Β
The Hoover native has built his reputation the hard way- starting his journey as a walk-on, earning aΒ scholarshipΒ and developing into one of the most trusted voices on UAB's offensive line. Now, as a graduate student entering his sixth year in the program,Β he'sΒ taking a leading role inΒ definingΒ the identity of the 2026 Blazers.Β That identity showed up the moment the Blazers put on full pads this spring.Β "I feel like everybody was playing free todayβ¦a lot of cohesion," Lepkowski said. "I think that was really good to see."Β
For Lepkowski, the transition into pads is where everything starts to take shape.Β "When you're not wearing pads, you're mainly focused on using your handsβ¦hand placement," he said. "When you put on the pads, that's when it all culminates together."Β That physicality has been years in the making.Β
After arriving in 2021, Lepkowski spent two seasons working his way up the depth chart before earning his opportunity in 2023, starting fiveΒ gamesΒ and helping UAB set a single-season school record withΒ 450.0 yardsΒ per game. His momentum was halted in 2024 when a training camp injury sidelined him for the entire season.Β He responded with his best year yet.Β
In 2025, Lepkowski started all 12 games andΒ emergedΒ as one of the top linemen in the conference, earning recognition as PFSN College's highest-graded center in the AmericanΒ Conference. Now, his focus extends well beyond his own performance-Β he'sΒ thinking like a coach.Β "We knew we were going to have a bunch of new guys," Lepkowski said. "We didn't want our culture to changeβ¦we wanted to bring them into our culture."Β
That culture has been built on accountability and trust-Β values Lepkowski has embraced as a veteran leader. His work on and off the fieldΒ hasn'tΒ gone unnoticed.Β "Adam Lepkowski has been a really good player for us, and we are very pleased to have him back this season," said head coach Alex Mortensen.Β "He's exemplifiedΒ good leadership through having a positive attitude, workΒ ethicΒ and bringing energy to practice and games. Further,Β he'sΒ an intelligent player who makes the guys around him better."Β
Part of how he makes his teammates better isΒ his commitment toΒ accountability, even whenΒ it'sΒ difficult.Β "You can't think about what people think about you," he said. "You just have to be able to call your brother outβ¦that's how it spreads."Β It'sΒ also reflected in how this year's team is coming together. The collection of student-athletes the UAB staff has brought to Birmingham has only strengthenedΒ the cohesiveness of the Blazers locker room. "I definitely think this year we've got not just solid players, but solid dudes," Lepkowski said. "Great people. AndΒ that'sΒ what also helps our culture."Β
OffΒ the field, Lepkowski's impact is just as consistent.Β Over the past three-plus years, he has logged more thanΒ 100 hoursΒ of community service throughout Birmingham, working with organizations such as Bundles of Hope, Food for Our Journey and Habitat for Humanity. His efforts have included everything from food distribution and youth outreach to neighborhood cleanup initiatives.Β
It'sΒ a reflection of the same approach he brings to football-Β steady,Β selflessΒ and team-first.Β "I think it's just kind of a maturity thing," Lepkowski said. "You just kind of got to grow up and realizeβ¦you can't be scared of the moment."Β
From walk-on to scholarshipΒ player. From injury setback toΒ all-conference-levelΒ performer. From contributor to leader.Β Lepkowski's journeyΒ hasn'tΒ been handed to him-Β it'sΒ been earned.Β And now, as UAB builds toward a new season,Β he'sΒ making sure the standard up front and in theΒ lockerΒ room is exactly where it needs to be.Β
