July 22, 2005

Contending for a conference championship and earning a second consecutive bowl berth are clearly goals of the 2005 UAB football team. With 58 letterwinners returning, including 16 starters, there is no question those goals are realistic ones this fall for head coach Watson Brown and his Blazers. But while UAB has loads of experience back in the fold and should be deeper at most positions than it was a season ago, one cannot overlook the voids left by several key performers.

The Blazers lost little in numbers from their 2004 7-5 team that earned the program's first-ever postseason bowl appearance, but they lost plenty in quality.

Only three offensive starters are missing from last December's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl team, but one of those is All-America wide receiver Roddy White. White became one of college football's top playmakers last season and in April, was a first round NFL draft pick (#27 overall) by the Atlanta Falcons.

White finished the season with 71 receptions for a Conference USA record and nation-leading 1,452 yards. He was on the receiving end of 14 touchdown passes from QB Darrell Hackney. His 121.0 receiving yards per game also established a C-USA single-season record.

Attempting to offset the loss of White will be a formidable challenge for Brown and his staff, as will filling voids left at linebacker where all three starters, and the top two backups, were seniors in 2004.

The trio of Zac Woodfin, a three-time all-conference selection (including twice as a first-teamer), Nigel Eldridge and Gaylon Black, accounted for 95 career starts and 850 tackles during their careers. Finding immediate help at the linebacker position arguably rates as the primary question mark entering the start of 2005 preseason practice.

The Blazers, no doubt, will also miss the services of placekicker Nick Hayes, a four-year starter who was a three-time Groza Award candidate. Hayes finished his career with 57 field goals and 288 points -- fourth all-time in Conference USA in both categories.

"Obviously, we have some question marks to get answered with the guys we lost," said Brown, who will be in his 11th season at UAB in 2005, "but we have a really good nucleus back and this will be an older team with a lot of juniors and seniors."

Brown was pleased with his team's spring practice and the efforts to fill the missing pieces, but he knows when preseason practice begins in August, the objectives will remain the same.

"Nobody got hurt despite the fact we had a real physical spring and the three question marks that I thought needed to be answered, we got closer to answering -- what we were going to do at linebacker, (receiver) Roddy White's position and (kicker) Nick Hayes's spot," said Brown. "I think that in all three of those, we've made some progress."

OFFENSE
While losing a weapon the caliber of White will be felt by the Blazers, optimism is aplenty on offense. Quarterback Darrell Hackney (6-2, 240, Sr.) returns for his senior season with 6,706 career passing yards and 49 touchdown tosses.

Playing his first full season as the Blazers' signal-caller, Hackney connected for 3,070 yards passing with 26 TD passes. He hit on 55 percent of his passes while yielding only eight interceptions.

UAB also should be stronger on the offensive line where four-of-five starters return. Only Andy Galloway is missing from the starting front at season's end last fall. Senior center Matt Batusic (6-3, 295, Sr.) anchors the unit and could challenge for all-conference honors. Cornelius Rogers (6-4, 320, Jr.) and Julius Wilson (6-5, 310, Sr.) are back at tackle with Quinton Harris (6-4, 330, Jr.) returning at guard. Adam Truitt (6-3, 310, So.) who backed up Batusic at center, is expected to move over to right guard to fill Galloway's spot.

The Blazers should also have some depth on the line as JaMarius Dismuke (6-5, 320, So.), Marcus Lampton (6-5, 325, Sr.), Tommie Keys (6-0, 300, Sr.) and LaDarius Stanley (6-3, 300, Jr.) all return with some experience.

Tight end Cedric Hampton (6-3, 275, Sr.) hasn't been called upon frequently as a pass catcher, but when he has, he has made the most of the opportunity with four touchdowns in 12 receptions over the past two seasons. Hampton also has been a solid blocker for UAB throughout his career. David Sigler (6-3, 250, So.) is expected to back-up Hampton.

Whereas Roddy White was, without question, Hackney's "go-to" receiver in 2004, the passing game this coming season will doubtless be managed more "by committee."

"We've changed some things a little bit in a philosophical way," Brown said. "Last year, we went at it with the approach of throw it to Roddy if they'll let us. If they won't, then take it somewhere else. I think now, we've got to spread it all around as a starting point. So, Darrell has had to adjust to that and I thought he got better at it as the spring went on."

Not only did the Blazers lose White from its 2004 roster, but also gone is the team's No. 2 receiver, Bradly Chavez. Chavez, a senior in 2004, caught 24 passes with a pair of TDs last season.

So, who will Hackney look to as his targets? Senior Reggie Lindsey (5-10, 185, Sr.) is certainly a candidate. Lindsey, who played his first season at UAB in 2004 after transferring from Southwest Mississippi Community College, made a big splash last fall, especially as a return specialist as he earned second-team All-Conference USA honors.

Lindsey recorded 20 receptions last season for 227 yards with four touchdowns. Another likely target will be Norris Drinkard (6-0, 195, Jr.) who caught 23 passes for 265 yards and a pair of TDs in 2004. Carl Duncan (5-10, 190, Sr.) and Nick Coon (6-1, 180, Jr.) should also see increased action at receiver.

Versatile Jhun Cook (5-11, 190, Sr.) returns to the wideout position he played his first two seasons. Last year, Cook was moved to defensive back and he played there in a reserve role.

The Blazers are in excellent shape at running back where juniors Dan Burks (6-1, 218) and Corey White (6-2, 235) are back in tandem after combining for 1,469 yards and 12 touchdowns last fall. Burks was the starter in 2004, rushing for 880 yards and a 5.4 average per carry. White ran for 589 yards and a team-best eight TDs while averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. Trey Chaney (5-8, 190, Jr.) provides depth at the running back position. Chaney saw only spot duty last fall, but demonstrated his capabilities in 2003 as a freshman as he ran for 479 yards and two touchdowns.

DEFENSE
Defensively, the Blazers are hoping to improve from last season when they yielded 412 yards and 29 points per game, giving up too many big plays in the minds of Brown and defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt.

If it all starts up front, then things are looking up for UAB's defense. Three of four starters return on the defensive line, along with an abundance of additional experience from their backups.

The only missing performer from 2004 who logged significant playing time among the defensive front is Shamar Abrams. Abrams was a three-year starter at nose tackle for the Blazers and ranked sixth on the team last season in stops with 50.

The Blazers have experience and talent back along the front.

At end, junior Larry McSwain (6-1, 250) returns after bursting onto the scene last season as he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors. McSwain, a transfer from Jackson State, led C-USA and was among the national leaders in sacks with 13. He also registered 18 tackles for loss while ranking No. 4 on the squad in tackles with 56.

The other starting defensive end is expected to be either Jermaine McElveen (6-5, 250, Jr.) or David Miller (6-4, 265, Jr.). They both saw extensive action in 2004 while splitting starting duty. McElveen a freshman All-American two years ago, gives the Blazers another effective pass rusher. Miller saw most of the starting action down the stretch last season and responded with several solid performances.

Tony Haynes-Dalton (6-4, 275, Jr.) and Kyle Bissinger (6-3, 255, Jr.), a converted quarterback coming off a leg injury in 2004, provide backup help at end for UAB. Sam Williamson (6-5, 295, Sr.) returns as a starter at tackle after recording 30 stops and five tackles for loss in 2004. Sam Kendrick (6-5, 265, Jr.) is expected to back up Williamson.

With Abrams gone, the Blazers are hoping Ernest Respress (6-5, 300, Sr.) will adequately fill that void. Respress has seen significant action each of the past three seasons and appears ready to step into a larger role. His brother, Clarence Respress (6-1, 300, Jr.), should be the back up at the nose tackle.

Jason Hamlin (6-2, 280, Jr.), returning from injury, and Brandon Jeffries (6-4, 240, Jr.) also will provide depth on the defensive line for the Blazers.

Last season, the starting linebacking trio of Woodfin, Eldridge and Black accounted for 228 tackles. The three players listed as projected starters at linebacker at the conclusion of spring practice combined for 19. While there is no disputing the experience the Blazers will lose in the departure of the aforementioned threesome, Brown and defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt see a lot of potential in the players stepping into prominent roles.

Likely, there will still be plenty of competition during preseason practice to determine playing time at linebacker as the 2005 season commences.

Marcus Mark (6-2, 220, Jr.) will be one of those vying for action as will Mastaki Smith (5-11, 230), and a redshirt freshman Joe Henderson (6-2, 220), whose play caught the coaches' eyes during spring drills.

Jeffrey Williams (6-0, 220, So.), Kris Guyton (6-2, 230, RFr.) and Taylor Ownby (6-1, 230, Jr.), who enrolled at UAB in January after transferring from Dixie State (Utah) Community College), also are expected to contend for playing time.

Gerod Condry (6-2, 215, Jr.), who was switched from safety, and Blake Prime (5-11, 210, Sr.), another converted safety, will also look to see action at linebacker.

The secondary lost one starter in cornerback Bobby Keyes, but has experience returning at every position. The loss of Keyes will be offset by the return of Carlos Hendricks (5-11, 190, Sr.). Hendricks was a starter for the Blazers in 2002 and 2003, projected again for that role last season.

But injury cut his season short and he played in only one game -- at Florida State. With a medical redshirt year available, Hendricks is back for a fifth season and a lot is expected from the Montgomery, Ala. native.

The other corner could be Will Evans (5-9, 175, Jr.) who became a starter when Hendricks went down with his injury. Evans turned in a solid season for the Blazers as he was eighth on the team in tackles with 49. He also was the UAB leader in interceptions with two, including one for a touchdown (30 yards) in a Blazer win at Cincinnati early in the season.

Dominique Cosper (5-11, 195, Sr.) is entrenched at safety after turning in a stellar 2004 season in which he led the team in tackles with 102 and earned second-team all-conference recognition. Cosper is regarded as the team's hardest hitter among the defensive backs and the Blazers will doubtless look to him for an added contribution in 2005.

Brandon Register (6-1, 190, Jr.) and Julius Wainwright (6-2, 190, Sr.), both with an abundance of experience, are listed at No. 1 and 2, respectively, at strong safety following spring practice.

The Blazers are also expecting incoming junior college transfer Chris Felder (5-10, 185, Jr.) to make an early impact in the secondary. Felder was a highly-touted Alabama prep prospect two years ago and had two outstanding seasons at Butler County (Kan.) Community College.

Felder most likely would see action at safety but he is regarded as versatile enough to play anywhere in the secondary for the Blazers.

Durrell Fuqua (5-11, 175, So.) saw his playing time increase as the 2004 season progressed and he should see more time at corner in 2005. Carnell Williams (6-1, 185, So.), Todd Tate (5- 11, 180, R-Fr.) and Kevin Sanders (5-11, 185, R-Fr.) are three other young players who look to have bright futures for the Blazers.

SPECIAL TEAMS
There is no doubt the Blazers will miss the services of placekicker Nick Hayes, one of Conference USA's most consistent kickers over the past four years. Hayes re-wrote the record book in virtually every kicking category and finished his career No. 4 all-time in C-USA in points and field goals.

The starting kicker this fall is expected to be either Swayze Waters (5-11, 170, Fr.), a highly-regarded prospect from Jackson (Miss.) Prep who also punted in high school, or Parker Mullins (5-11, 180, Jr.), UAB's starting punter.

The Blazers recruited Waters to come in and challenge right away for the kicking job and that hasn't changed. Mullins, however, handled the placekicking chores almost exclusively during spring practice and performed in excellent fashion. Both Waters and Mullins are expected to compete for the kicking job when preseason practice begins in August.

There is no disputing that Mullins will return as the UAB punter for the third consecutive season. He averaged 40.3 yards per boot last season.

The Blazers return one of the league's most exciting kickoff and punt return threats in Reggie Lindsey. Lindsey, who should be one of the team's top receivers in 2005, was named second-team all-conference as a return specialist last season, his first at UAB.

Lindsey averaged 25.5 yards on 22 kick returns and 10.1 yards with a touchdown on 24 punt returns.

He returned a punt for a touchdown in the Blazers' road victory at Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State and quickly made a name for himself among the top return specialists in Conference USA.

Lance Rhodes will be one of the primary contributors to assist Lindsey in the kick and punt return chores.