UAB Blazers in-depth 2007 football preview

UAB looks to the future in 2007 season

Neil Callaway watches over Spring practice

If there was one keyword for the UAB Blazers’ 2007 gridiron campaign, it would be this: change. Change is inevitable. Sometimes it comes slowly, but unpleasant changes are usually best accomplished like ripping off a band-aid: in one quick motion. So, it was in such a manner that UAB bid farewell to head coach Watson Brown after a tumultuous 3-9 season, and welcomed in his replacement former Georgia offensive coordinator Neil Callaway. Combined with losing 27 seniors and a host of other letter winners for various reasons, the change at the top means the 2007 season will likely bring plenty of cringe-inducing moments but plenty of promise for seasons to come.

UAB Offense (C-): Respected offensive mind Kim Helton has assumed the role of offensive coordinator on Neil Callway’s staff. He inherits what is essentially a blank slate. A squad that ranked last in CUSA in total offense in 2006 loses 85% of rushing output, 50% of passing, and 91% of receiving production. To make things worse, four senior starters are gone from the offensive line. There is talent in the youngsters poised to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities, but Helton’s system will most likely have to rely on smoke and mirrors to realize any significant production in ’07. Expect to see a lot of short passes out of the backfield and to the talented tight ends, and a lot of improvisation from the quarterbacks.

UAB Quarterbacks (B): Arguably the most talented player at the skill positions, and the biggest reason for optimism for the future, is 6’3”, 200-lb sophomore Joseph Webb. Fans of UAB and opponents alike will be reminded when watching Webb of the last breakout signal-caller for UAB, Darrell Hackney. In two appearances during his freshman season, Webb was 33-51 for 426 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions, and a 141.34 QB rating. Callaway was reluctant to tab a starter coming out of Spring practice, and senior Sam Hunt (48-82-5, 655, 2 TDs) will certainly see a fair share of snaps this year, but Webb is a future star who could use his creativity to craft some dazzling moments this season for Blazer fans. In either case, UAB will have a quarterback with the arm to make tough throws and the ability and speed to run for significant gains.

UAB Running Backs (D+): Here is all you need to know about the situation at running back for UAB: the player who ended Spring at the top of the depth chart, Rashad Slaughter, is a 5’9”, 185-lb sophomore who spent the 2006 season at wide receiver. The main contenders for carries are expected to arrive this summer in junior college transfer Aaron Johns (5’10”, 190), and high school standouts Darrell Norman (5’10”, 195) and Jimmie Blair (6’0”, 180). David Sigler (6’3”, 250, Sr.) does return at the “H”-back position and should be a valuable cog in Helton’s attack. He has the ability to block in the open field or straight-up, and has good hands out of the backfield.

UAB Wide Receivers (D): Perhaps no position on offense was more decimated by losses than wide receiver. Six of the top eight pass catchers from 2006 are gone, and Callaway’s reviews of those that remained in the Spring were less than glowing. Senior Nick Coon returns from injuries and should be a deep threat. Courtney Smith is a 6’4”, 210-lb redshirt-freshman who could be a budding star and a favorite target of Webb’s for years to come. The tight ends are a young but very talented group led by 6’3”, 220-lb redshirt-freshman Jeffrey Anderson. The list of newcomers who could step in at the receiver spots is led by Mario Wright (6’5”, 200, Fr.).

UAB Offensive Line (C+): Even though the losses here were many, plenty of talent returns including center Jake Seitz (6’2”, 300, So.), right tackle Adam Truitt (6’3”, 310, Jr.), and right guard JaMarius Dismuke (6’5”, 320, Sr.). Size shouldn’t be a problem either with the Spring two-deep averaging 6’4” and 300-lbs. The onus will be on the left side to keep the QB in one piece as the new system finds its footing. Sophomore left tackle Willie Thompson (6’6”, 285) was a star of the 2006 recruiting class who has the chance to come into his own. Some of the true freshman in what was a surprisingly strong 2007 class on the OL could work their way into the two-deep.

UAB Special Teams (B): Junior Swayze Waters returns to handle kicking duties in 2007 after converting 9 of 12 attempts (including 2 of 3 from 40+ yards) last year. He will also handle punting duties with the graduation of Parker Mullins. Thus far in his career, however, he has proved most valuable on kickoffs where in 2006 he had 17 touchbacks. The aforementioned Rashad Slaughter is a speedster who averaged 24 yards per kick return in 2006. Sure-handed defensive back Kevin Sanders (5’11”, 185, Jr.) returns after tallying a pedestrian 6.1 yards per in returning punts.

UAB Defense (D+): UAB will retain the 4-3 formation under Neil Callaway but, aside from the secondary, that will be the only holdover opposing offenses might see from last year. But where this defense is strong, it is very strong, as the aforementioned secondary could prove to be one of the best in the conference. UAB was firmly in the middle of the pack in CUSA defenses last year, and will look to improve that standing if they can find a way to get in the opposing backfield more often and assert some manner of control over the line of scrimmage. For those two things to happen, however, it will take quick maturation from some talented youngsters, immediate impact from junior college signees, and a whole lotta luck in the injury department to avoid further strain on the depth situation.

UAB Defensive Line (D-): After losing three starters in the off-season, this was a main area of concern for coaches in the Spring. The ends look promising in returning senior Brandon Jeffries (6’4”, 250) who had 55 tackles with 5.5 for losses last year, and 6’4”, 250-lb sophomore Joe Happe who snagged the starting spot at the opposite end during Spring practices. But the situation in the middle got even worse this summer as the top two players on the two-deep at nose tackle were lost. This means 2006 pre-season NJCAA All-American Antonio Forbes (6’4”, 265) will have to be solid from the moment he sets foot on campus. It also means true freshmen Adam Arthur (6’2”, 260) and Tim Davis (6’0”, 260) will have to grow up very fast.

UAB Linebackers (C+): Coming out of Spring practice, this looked like it could be the team’s strength. Kris Guyton, junior Joe Henderson (6’2”, 210), and sophomore B.J. Steed (6’1”, 220) brought huge amounts of experience and solid stats from the 2006 season. But after losing Guyton and others before summer started, this squad goes into the 2007 campaign with a striking lack of depth. Senior Stanley Lykes (6’2”, 205) could step into Guyton’s spot, but the fact is that every eligible linebacker on the roster, including junior college transfers and true freshmen, will get a chance to prove what they can do on the field.

UAB Defensive Backs (A-): Finally, at the bottom of the preview, a bright spot for Blazer fans…and a very bright spot indeed. Will Dunbar, a 6’1”, 195-lb senior who led UAB with 65 tackles and three interceptions in 2006, will be one of the few Blazers to challenge for all-conference honors. He leads a group that is packed with senior leadership and playing experience. Cornerback Kevin Sanders (5’11”, 185, Jr.) is the best cover-man with three interceptions and a team-high eight passes broken up in 2006. The remainder of the secondary is not hurting for future promise either with redshirt freshman Anthony Davis (6’0”, 195) and sophomore Brandon Carlisle (5’10”, 180) sure to see plenty of playing time after impressing this past Spring.

Final UAB Football 2007 Outlook & Analysis:

In the film Rocky III, a reporter asks boxer Clubber Lang for his prediction of his upcoming bout with Rocky Balboa. Clubber looks into the camera and says one word, “Pain.” I won’t be so blunt about the Blazers 2007 football season, but this young team with a new staff will take their lumps. Money games at Michigan State and Florida State, along with games at Tulsa, at Mississippi State, and vs. Southern Miss will prove difficult. But there are home games against 1-AA Alcorn State, Tulane, and Houston (who has traditionally struggled in the state of Alabama), plus a road date with Memphis (whom UAB last lost to when Lindsey Lohan was a wide-eyed innocent). While the team is almost unbelievably thin, the talent level is arguably still higher than it was during the late 1990s when UAB used hard work and determination to regularly land in the top-half of CUSA. That being said, it will be an impressive achievement for the Blazers to win 5 games in 2007. However, regardless of the win/loss record, UAB fans can still be excited about the future of the program with the new sense of discipline and hard work that has defined Neil Callway’s UAB staff.