July 19, 2007

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It remains to be seen whether the UAB Blazers will improve on their disappointing 3-9 season of last fall. After all, the Blazers lost seven starters on both sides of the ball, and a senior class that numbered nearly 30 players in 2006. But those who have observed closely in the months since Neil Callaway was named UAB's head coach last December have seen a new air of enthusiasm over the program. It started with a demanding offseason strength and conditioning program and continued through spring practice.

Callaway made it clear early to his players the expectations he and his staff would have when it came to their level of commitment on and off the field.

"We want to create a mindset of how we want to do things and I think we're off to a good start," said Callaway. "We're not where we want to be, but I think we've got a good start on things."

Instilling a dedicated work ethic and a discipline were at the top of the list of priorities for Callaway and his staff.

He knew he had to start spring practice with some form of a depth chart, but he also made it clear everyone was starting over and the field for playing time was a level one.

"Everybody is starting with a clean slate," Callaway said after one of the team's first practices. "Our philosophy will always be that the best guys are going to start, and if you're good enough to play, you're going to play. It doesn't matter whether you're a freshman or a senior."

That may never ring more true than it does entering the 2007 season.

The Blazers had nearly 30 seniors on their 2006 roster. Couple that with some of the normal player casualties that generally are associated with a coaching transition and UAB is looking at a roster thin on numbers, especially in specific areas of the team.

The result will be a preseason and early season that gives everyone -- the incoming recruiting class included -- an opportunity to earn a job on the field.

Callaway, who came to UAB after six seasons as the offensive coordinator at Georgia after also spending time on the coaching staffs at Alabama, Auburn, Houston and Wyoming, said becoming a "hard-nosed, competitive football team" would be his top priority.

"I want to make sure that we are going to be a physical football team," he said. "We're going to play hard every snap."

The healthy competition for starting jobs and playing time provided the basis for a spirited spring practice. It will doubtless continue in August when preseason workouts begin and the recruiting class arrives.

The first two games of the 2007 season -- the Blazers open with back-to-back road contests at Michigan State and Florida State -- will be challenging to say the least but will offer Callaway and his staff an early indicator on where the team's strengths and weaknesses lie.

OFFENSE

Callaway and offensive coordinator Kim Helton will implement a multiple style offense that will feature a balanced attack.

Unlike last season when the Blazers were looking to replace a four-year starter at quarterback in Darrell Hackney, UAB in 2007 will bring back a pair of signal-callers with at least some experience.

Who will be the starter when the Blazers open at East Lansing, Mich. on Sept. 1 remains a question as both senior Sam Hunt (6-3, 215) and sophomore Joseph Webb (6-4, 220) will enter fall camp vying for the opportunity.

Hunt split time last season with Chris Williams but battled a few injury issues during the fall. A transfer from Middle Tennessee who sat out the 2005 season, Hunt played in seven games last season, connecting on 48-of-82 passes (58.5 percent) for 655 yards. He hopes to improve his touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2007 as he had two TD passes last season while throwing five interceptions.

Hunt is an adept runner who offers toughness at the quarterback position as evidenced by his performance in the '06 season-opening game at Oklahoma when he came off the bench and nearly led UAB to an upset win over the Sooners. In the contest, Hunt had 65 yards on the ground while throwing for 149 with one touchdown toss.

Webb didn't see his first action as a Blazer until the 11th game last season at Southern Miss after injuries sidelined Hunt and '06 senior Chris Williams. Against the Golden Eagles and in the subsequent week's game - the season finale at UCF -- Webb showed some of his potential.

In a brief two-game stint, the rangy quarterback threw for 426 yards as he hit on 33-of-51 passes (64.7) with one touchdown and no interceptions. Like Hunt, Webb also has running skills.

Anthony Speight (6-3, 205, R-Fr.) was a highly-touted prep performer but has yet to see action at the collegiate level. Rodney Bivens, Jr. (6-0, 195, Jr.) provides depth at the position.

There will be inexperience at running back as the Blazers will look to find replacements for senior backs who departed after the 2006 season. Gone are Dan Burks, Corey White, Marculus Elliott and Trey Chaney and their combined 5,625 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. Burks and White amassed the bulk of that total, running for 2,277 and 1,925 yards, respectively.

Rashaud Slaughter (5-9, 185, So.) was the only scholarship running back in spring practice and enters fall practice listed No. 1 on the depth chart. With a shifty running style, Slaughter possesses some "big-play" potential. Still, most of his action in 2006 came as a slot receiver as he only registered one carry (for five yards) with 16 receptions for 113 yards.

Tony Shepherd (5-11, 210, Sr.), T.J. Slaughter (Rashaud's brother) (5-10, 215, Jr.), Reggie Jones (5-9, 185, So.) and Jim Mitchell (5-10, 187, So.) also saw action in the spring at the position.

Callaway and his staff knew they had glaring needs at running back and went out and signed five prospects at the position last February. Included in the group are Aaron Johns (5-10, 190, Jr.), a junior college transfer who played as a freshman at Alabama, and Darell Norman (5-10, 195, Fr.) who was one of the most prolific high school backs in Georgia last fall while playing at tradition-rich Lincoln County High School. There`s a better than average chance that running back is one of the positions where a newcomer may see some early playing time this season.

One of the players who caught Callaway's eye in the spring was senior David Sigler (6-3, 250). Sigler has seen a substantial amount of action in his career, lining up at fullback. as a tight end and at the H-Back position. But he hasn't seen the ball come his way very often. He enters 2007 with eight career receptions for 59 yards. It was the work ethic and toughness Callaway noticed during spring practice and Sigler is expected to see an increased role this fall.

The receiver position is another area with not a lot of returning experience. Sylvester Mencer (5-11, 180, Jr.) is the leading returning receiver with 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 2006. Blake Thackston (6-1, 180, Sr.) and Courtney Smith (6-4, 205, So.) had seven receptions between them last season. Smith provides a big target but needs to gain additional experience.

One plus at the position for the Blazers will be the return of Nick Coon (6-2, 185). A fifth-year senior, Coon was lost for the 2006 season last August when he suffered a shoulder injury. At the time, he was listed as a probable starter at the wide receiver. Darryl Harris (5-10, 170, R-Fr.) also is in the picture for playing time after a solid spring.

Frantrell Forrest (6-2, 195, R-Fr.) has size and has been given a look in the secondary and at receiver. He'll get a further opportunity on the offensive side when fall practice begins.

There is promise but youthfulness at tight end. Jeffrey Anderson (6-3, 220, R-Fr.) drew some attention in the spring and is listed No. 1 on the depth chart, ahead of Cory Powers (6-5, 245, Fr.), who enrolled last January.

The offensive line lost three senior starters from last year as Julius Wilson, Cornelius Rogers and Quinton Harris have all departed. The trio combined for 85 starts in their careers and Wilson and Rogers are spending the 2007 summer in NFL camps hoping to earn a roster spot.

Jake Seitz (6-2, 300, So.) earned Conference USA All-Freshman team honors after starting all 12 games for the Blazers in 2006. Adam Truitt (6-3, 310, Sr.) has been versatile performer for UAB during his career, seeing duty at tackle, guard and center. Truitt is easily UAB's most experienced player on the offensive front. When spring practice concluded in April, he was listed as the starter at right tackle.

JaMarius Dismuke (6-5, 320, Sr.) has seen a considerable amount of action during his career and is listed No. 1 at right guard heading into fall practice. Willie Thompson (6-6, 285, So.) has a big frame and little experience but likely will see increased action. Adam Hollifield (6-3, 300, R-Fr.) is a walk-on but had a good spring and is listed No. 1 at left guard.

Logan Creel (6-5, 285, R-Fr.) and Joseph Waller (6-4, 290, R-Fr.) both were redshirted as true freshmen in 2006 but could see action early during the 2007 campaign.

DEFENSE

Defensive coordinator Eric Schumann takes over a Blazer defense whose strength appears to lie in the secondary and in speed at the linebacker position.

There is experience and depth in the secondary, perhaps the only area of the team that can boast of those attributes. Free safety Will Dunbar (6-1, 195, Sr.) earned all-conference honors last season after leading the team in tackles with 65, including 44 solo stops. Dunbar, regarded as the Blazers' biggest hitter among defensive backs, tied cornerback Kevin Sanders (5-11, 185, Jr.) for the team lead in interceptions. Dunbar also has already been named to the 2007 Preseason All-Conference USA team in a summer vote of the league's coaches.

Sanders has seen plenty of action in his first two seasons with five starts as a true freshman in 2005 and all 12 starts last fall. He finished last season with 32 tackles and also led the team with eight pass breakups.

Durrell Fuqua (5-11, 185, Sr.) is listed as the preseason starter at strong safety after seeing most of his action as the "nickel back" the past two years.

Anthony Davis (6-0, 195, R-Fr.) is listed as a backup at strong safety heading into the fall after a redshirt season in 2006.

Zach Britten (5-10, 180, Sr.) started three of the last four games of the 2006 season and was productive when he had the opportunity. Britten, who came out of the spring listed as a starter at cornerback, recorded 18 tackles with three tackles for loss and a pair of fumbles recovered.

Brandon Carlisle (5-10, 180, So.) had an outstanding spring and will see increased action at corner. A pair of seniors, Carnell Williams (6-1, 205) at corner and Matt Taylor (5-11, 185) at safety, provide solid depth. Both have also seen significant special teams duty the past two seasons.

At linebacker, the Blazers are short on depth but have an all-conference candidate in Joe Henderson (6-2, 220, Jr.) who was third on the team in tackles last season with 63 and has loads of potential. The speedy product of Birmingham earned third-team all-conference honors after registering 8.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

B.J. Steed (6-1, 230, So.) saw his first action as a Blazer last season and responded with 21 tackles, including two for loss. He could take over the duties at "mike" linebacker this fall. Henry Blackmon (6-0, 220, Sr.) provides depth at the position and saw considerable action in the spring.

The Blazers are also hopeful Stanley Lykes (6-2, 205, Sr.) can stay healthy and make a contribution this fall after an injury-plagued 2006 season. Gerod Condry (6-2, 220) is another senior linebacker who has often had to battle injuries.

On the defensive line, UAB will look to replace four senior defensive ends, including three-time, first-team all-conference performer Larry McSwain. Jermaine McElveen, David Miller and Kyle Bissinger are the other three seniors who have departed after their final seasons.

Brandon Jeffries (6-4, 250, Sr.) spent more time on the inside on the defensive front in 2006, but he is listed as a preseason starter at end and will be counted on heavily this fall. Jeffries had 22 tackles last season with 5.5 tackles for loss. Joe Happe (6-4, 250, So.) saw his first action last season on special teams but appears poised to move into the regular rotation on the D-line.

Richard Carter (6-6, 240, Jr.) has seen limited duty in his career while Bryant Turner (6-2, 235, R-Fr.), considered a promising young player, will see his first action at the collegiate level.

At defensive tackle, Jerrickus Speights (6-5, 255, Sr.) had 13 tackles with two tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.

LaDarrius Stanley (6-3, 310, Sr.) has seen action during his UAB career on the defensive and offensive lines, as well as in the role of a blocking tight end last season. With the Blazers thin up front, Callaway and defensive line coach Lorenzo Costantini have moved Stanley back to the D-line at tackle.

Xavier Smith (6-0, 270, Jr.) and Nick Foster (5-11, 275, Jr.) also could get a look on defensive front this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Swayze Waters (6-0, 170, Jr.) is the lone returning kicker with experience. Starting last season as the Blazers' "long-distance" kicker, he took over the full-time placekicker duties in the ninth game of the season. He finished with an impressive nine field goals on 12 attempts. Waters also was the regular punter in spring practice, but freshman Charlie Edwards (6-0, 190), an all-state performer from Tifton, Ga., could emerge into that role

UAB had one of C-USA's best kick returners last season in senior Marculus Elliott, so that job is open. Rashaud Slaughter and Reggie Jones saw most of the action at kick return in the spring with Slaughter sharing punt return duties with Kevin Sanders.

Jeff Hamby (6-1, 205, Jr.) returns as the primary snapper on both punts and placekicks while Chris Barrett (6-0, 235, Sr.) could take over the job as the team's primary holder. Barrett has mainly snapping experience in his career, though his 2006 season was hindered by injuries.