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RANGER’S ROSTER REPORT: OFFENSE, 2019
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RANGER’S ROSTER REPORT: OFFENSE, 2019
RANGER’S ROSTER REPORT: OFFENSE, 2019

Recruiting rankings are from 247Sports composite.
Depth chart forecasts and player comments are my own opinions.
INVITATION: Your opinions or insider information are welcomed to further sharpen this forecast.

SUMMARY: This 2019 UAB offense is somewhat of a mystery - but bursting with talent & potential at most positions. The skill positions look to be some of UAB’s best ever, if not the absolute combined best. The trenches have a few firm pieces but several interior positions are not at all clear yet. Offense rises and falls at the line of scrimmage, but we will probably not get a clear sense of the 2019 UAB offensive line until at least the South Alabama game.


QUARTERBACK
1. Tyler Johnston III, 6-2, 215, R-SO (2016 3-star, 0.7972): 1323 yds, 57l.1% compl, 11 TD, 9 INT. Five games started in 18. Talented upgrade to the position, who will only continue to get better with game experience, as he showed in Bocca Raton (17/29, 373 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT, 28 yds rushing). Under-rated coming out of HS. Will be a fourth-year RS sophomore! Maybe the first ever? Very aggressive player and leader. Talented and tough runner, maybe as good as Erdely was. Admire his hit on safety Reed as Johnston ran into the end zone of the MTSU game, but too many of those type extra hits may cost him some games eventually. Hasn’t shown the strongest arm (but maybe due to prior surgery) but has zip and is very accurate with the deep ball. Struggled with interceptions but will improve in year 2 as a starter. Athlon has selected Johnston as a preseason third team All-Conference QB in 2019, after only 5 games experience. That is a sensible yet bold projection, particularly based on the anticipated upgrades across a very inexperienced but talented wide receiver corps. The late addition of the #1 JUCO WR (6-4, 225 lbs, RaJae Johnson) will only further improve his prospects. His leadership and talent are obvious.
2. Dylan Hopkins, 6-2, 205, R-FR (2018 3-star, 0.8004). Talented, although needs to bulk up. QB for perennial power Maryville HS in TN, where he led this big-time program to a state championship. Need him to be ready game 1 because UAB QBs run and get hit - a lot. Played extremely well in the spring game (10-14, 113 yds, 1TD).
3. Bryson Lucero, 6-1, 210, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8195). Looked very good in IMG’s steamrolling of Hoover this year. Also looked very good in spring practice this year as an early arrival. He may be another under-rated steal for Clark & Co. Should redshirt in 2019 unless team injuries dictate otherwise.
4. David Hendrick, 6-3, 200, R-SO (2018 JUCO, NR, PWO), practice squad.
Graduated: AJ Erdely

RUNNING BACK
1. Spencer Brown, 6-0, 230, JR (2017 2-star, 0.7580) 2018: 1227 yds, 16 TD, 2018 First Team All CUSA. Ironically, one of UAB’s lowest rated signees in 2017…once again reminding everyone to take all recruiting ratings with a huge grain of salt! One of the top 2 backs in C-USA. Tough, powerful, punishing runner. Relentless competitor. Great feet. Lacks breakaway attributes but has a strong nose for the end zone. Might be his last year in college if he further improves. A step more speed would make him a more appealing prospect for the NFL. Freshman All American but played with some injuries in his sophomore year, as well as teams loading the box to stop him. Expected to become the all-time UAB rushing leader this year. He will benefit from the renewed downfield passing game, also, if the offensive line enables it. Athlon has selected Brown as a preseason first team All Conference USA running back in 2019.
2. Larry Wooden, 6-0, 210, R-SO (2018 2-star transfer, 0.7891): Ark St transfer, originally from Spain Park. Very good spring game (14 carries, 95 yds). Likely established himself as the primary backup to Brown. Could provide a more powerful 1-2 punch than the two previous years’ backfields.
3. Lucious Stanley, 6-0, 215, R-SO (2017 2-star) 2018: 52 carries, 274 yds. Very solid. Fastest back. Needs more carries and it’s not quite clear why he doesn’t get them. Runs hard. 7 carries for 35 yds and a TD in the spring game. A lot to like in Stanley, but he may fall behind Wooden or even Pollock once he recovers from injury. It’s good that he is now a class behind Brown due to the RS year.
4. Werlean Pollock, 6-3, 200, R-FR (2017, not rated). Was reported to be the leading running back in spring camp (with Brown sitting out following a minor surgery) but injured a knee near the end of camp, opening the door for Wooden to display his impressive skills in the spring game. Not clear if Pollock will be able to play in 2019, but when he recovers, he will very likely be a significant factor within the future RB corps.
5. Jonathan Haden, 5-7, 175, R-SR (2016 Arizona transfer, 3-star, 0.800 rating). Sat out 2018 with an injury. Modest contributor in 2017. Quick but not as decisive as you would like. Good third down skills as a receiver but playing time as a senior may be limited by Wooden and perhaps Godfrey. Inured during spring practice but expected to recover.
6. Rashad Mosely, 5-10, 195, R-JR (2019, walkon), practice squad
7. Daquon Godfrey, 5-10, 195, JR (2019 late signee, JUCO, not rated). Late signee. Not yet on roster but anticipated to join fall camp. May move up to the #3 back quickly. HS film shows a powerful, decisive North-South runner with quick feet & good hands.
8. Richmon Singletary, 6-0, 180, FR (2019, not rated). Scholarship. Will redshirt in 2019. Could also play safety. Not yet on roster. Expected to join by fall camp.
9. Isaiah Montgomery, 6-7, 185, R-SO (2019, walkon) practice squad
9. Tyetus Smith-Lindsey, 5-7, 165, FR (2019, walkon) practice squad
10. Luke Percer, 5-11, 175, FR (2019, walkon), practice squad
Graduated: James Noble

WIDE RECEIVER
1. RaJae Johnson, 6-4, 225, R-SO (2019, JUCO, 4 star, late signee, 0.8864 rating). #1 JUCO WR in 2019 class. Highest rated player UAB has signed with three years to play. Huge frame, good hands, powerful runner, good speed, breaks tackles, goes across the middle, punishes defenders. May need to develop as a blocker to play in UAB’s offense. NFL size, and maybe talent if he has the speed. Late signee and summer roster addition, who was injured all of 2018. Tremendous addition to the offense, particularly with Johnston’s talent for throwing the long ball. If he is fully recovered, and if the offensive line can deliver, Johnston-to-Johnson will put UAB on the map offensively – and transform UAB into a dangerous, deep-threat offense, to complement the pounding running game. That said, it’s still to be determined if Johnson will be UAB’s best WR in 2019. Austin Watkins may have something to say about that with a year already in the system.
2. Myron Mitchell, 6-0, 170, JR (2017 JUCO 3-star, 0.8267): JUCO originally committed in Oct 17 after a decommit from Texas Tech. Joined the team for spring practice in 2019. Reported to have an excellent spring camp. Could be a starter, but will likely be first off the bench in the rotation once Johnson understands the offense.
4. Tyler Pye, 5-8, 160, FR (walkon) practice squad
5. Trent Davis, 6-9, 175, FR (walkon) practice squad
6. Ryan Davis, 5-11, 170, FR (walkon) practice squad
Graduated: Xavier Ubosi

WIDE RECEIVER
1. Austin Watkins, 6-3, 205, R-JR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7744): 2018 = 7 caches for 47 yds (in first four , games, before redshirt). Great size and speed. Flashed potential as a starter in early 2018 season but the staff shut him down with a redshirt after four games, based on the emergence of senior Kailon Carter. Good move by the staff! Had a monster spring, including the spring game (3 catches, 109 yds, 35 yd TD). May be the team’s best offensive weapon after Brown.
2. Kevin Davis, 6-0, 185, R-SO (2017 3-star, 0.8221). Noted by coaches in 2018 preseason as showing promise, but zero in-game catches to date. Had a very good spring game. Anticipated to be a significant contributor in 2019. Chose UAB over offers from UCLA, UNLV & Wyoming.
4. Sederian Copeland, 6-0, 170, R-SR (2016 JUCO 3-star, 0.8376): Injured in 18 Good speed. Showed flashes of potential in 2017 when healthy. Caught the ball in the spring game. Will be in the 2019 rotation.
5. Xaviar Coleman, 6-0, 190, SO (PWO). Intriguing prospect. West VA offer in Feb 19. Was a standout in the 2018 Vandy summer camp. Will likely redshirt in 2019 and grow into a scholarship player and contributor for 2020 and beyond.
6. Alec Marsch, 6-1, 190, R-JR (walk on): zero catches in 18, 3rd on depth chart all season.
7. Austin McGhee, 6-0, 195, FR (walkon) practice squad
8. Zack Strange, 6-0, 195, FR (2019 walkon) practice squad

Graduated: Kailon Carter, 5-10, 167, FR (2019 walkon) practice squad

SLOT RECEIVER
1. Kendall Parham, 5-10, 175, SR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7733): 2018 = 14 catches for 196 yds, 0 TDs, 70 rush yds, 1 TD. Proved that he could be a playmaker as both a receiver and runner in 18 but didn’t see the ball very often after mid-season. Probably replaces Andre Wilson as the slot starter, but there is talent pushing behind him.
2. TD Marshall, 6-0, 185, R-JR (2017 Samford transfer, 3-star out of HS, 0.8549 rating) Wild card. Is he talented enough to be a UT Vol (his original commitment) or is he closer to the guy who didn’t make a clear impact on a talented Samford team? Originally offered by Tennessee, Arizona, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Army, Georgia Tech, Illinois, and many others – but signed with Samford in 2016. Didn’t play much at Samford and transferred to UAB in ‘17 and sat out ‘18. Not clear if it was an injury issue or simply unable to crack the starting lineup. Had a very good spring and spring game (26 yd TD) this year. Will be a significant contributor for UAB the next two years.
3. Markus Grossman, 5-9, 170, JR (2019 3-star JUCO signee, 0.8067 rating). Film shows very quick feet and the ability and willingness to make hard catches in traffic. A bit on the small side but tough. Joined the team in summer. Could redshirt in 2019 or be a contributor depending on the performance of the other slots receivers who have already been in the system.
4. Demetrius Davis, 5-11, 170, R-JR. (2016 3-star, 0.8025 rating) Talented, fast, but still waiting to see a contribution. Injured in 18. Had SEC offers out of HS but chose UAB.
5. Jermaine Brown, Jr, 5-8, 170, FR (2019, 2-star, 0.7697 rating). Very talented, small receiver. Former Alabama 1A and 2A Back of the year. Will redshirt in 2019. Will grow into an impact player by RS-SO year.
6. Samario Rudolph, 5-9, 165, FR (2019, PWO). One of the leading HS receivers in Alabama in 2018. Alabama 2A Back of the Year in 2018. Small but very talented. Could be a sleeper.
Graduated: Andre Wilson, Colin Lisa

TIGHT END
1. Hayden Pittman, 6-4, 230, R-JR (originally a walk on) 2018: 8 catches, 66 yds, 0 TD. Occasional starter for 2 years. Decent receiver and strong blocker, but speed is a bit limited. Solid player.
2. Gerritt Prince, 6-5, 235, R-JR (2018 JUCO, 2-star): The staff is excited about this guy. Showed brief flashes of athleticism in his 4 games played during his 2018 RS season – blocked a punt in one game. Had a very good spring and caught a 26 yd TD in the spring game. Will be a significant contributor to the passing game in 2019, particularly around the end zone, as a 6-5 athlete.
3. Thair Blakes, 6-5, 240, R-SR (2017 JUCO 2-star, 0.7533): Limited playing time thus far, but a big body.
4. Skylor Clinton, 6-3, 250, R-JR (2016 JUCO 2-star, 0.7782): Limited playing time thus far. Looks like a blocking H-back.
5. Logan Arnold, 6-5, 235, R-SO (2017 2-star, 0.7850). Potential for contribution still TBD.
6. Jarius Thomas, 6-2, 185, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8416 rating) Highly rated late signee out of GA. Much smaller size listed on summer roster than that listed on the 24/7 Sports recruiting page (6-4, 220). Not clear if he will play TE or WR at this size.
7. Keilan Knight, 6-2, 215 JR (walkon) practice squad
8. Isaiah Grim, 6-2, 235, R-SO (JUCO, PWO) practice squad
Graduated: Logan Scott, Donnie Lee

LEFT TACKLE
1. Colby Ragland, 6-5, 300, R-JR (2018 JUCO 3-star, 0.8006 rating): 2018 redshirt. Great frame. Earned the starting role at left tackle during spring. Zero previous starts but well regarded out of JUCO. Had a very good spring, reportedly. Anticipated to be a solid left tackle but early season will be a steep learning curve. Needs to own the position quickly for UAB to take advantage of the passing game potential.
2. Shauntavius Vardaman, 6-5, 320, R-SO (2019 JUCO, not rated). Late signee. Great size and frame. Reportedly had offers from Alabama and Ole Miss out of HS, but no similar offers came after a couple years of JUCO. 3 years of eligibility. He is a bit of a mystery, but there are some indications that he could become a significant contributor, perhaps by 2020. Maybe another Clark late-signee jewel?
3. Jayme Simmons, 6-6, 250, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8625): UAB’s most significant and second highest rated signee of the 19 class. He is local (another Thompson, HS signee) and UAB has not traditionally signed higher rated offensive linemen out of HS – so he is significant in multiple dimensions. Chose UAB over Power 5 offers, including Nebraska. Early arrival but did not practice in the spring after a minor surgery. May need a RS year to add weight and strength and fully recover. Could become a four-year starter at LT, perhaps with Ragland moving to RT in 20, if Simmons is redshirted in 19.
4. Carter Wood, 6-5, 285, R-JR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7583). Likely to be primarily a practice contributor, due to the influx of new JUCO O-lineman in 2019.
5. Jared Long, 6-2, 295, JR (walkon transfer from Brevard college, no rating) practice squad
Graduated: James Davis (27 starts), 2nd Team All CUSA

RIGHT TACKLE
1. Sidney Wells, 6-4, 330, JR (2019 JUCO 2-star, 0.7900). Big body. Great frame. In the spring he was reportedly pushing Nuss for a starting role. Likely to become the starter by game three if Vardaman doesn’t take the position.
2. Patrick Nuss, 6-7, 315, R-SO (2017 2-star, 0.7891): 0 starts but played 3 quarters of 1st MTSU game after Justice Powers was booted for thinking he was in an MMA ring. Struggled in that game. Talented and ideally sized, so plenty of room to learn and improve at game speed, but early season could be a steep learning curve. Probably needs another year to develop adequate strength to own a position, but he has had an entire off-season to improve – so he came out of the spring as the starter at RT.
3. Jordan Jamison, 6-7, 320, R-JR (2016 2-star, 0.7884): Didn’t see the field in 18. Nice size.
Graduated: Justice Powers (27 starts, first team All CUSA in 18, designated enforcer for 18 O-line)

CENTER
1. Lee Dufour, 6-4, 310, R-SR (2014 2-star, 0.7667): 24 games started. Bell cow of OL. One of only two players left from Clark’s original team. Injured arm mid 18, and replaced by Fecanin and then Smith, but returned to play in bowl game. Athlon has selected Dufour as a 2019 preseason third team All Conference USA center.
2. Greg Fecanin, 6-3, 335, R-JR (2016 walk on, NR): 3 starts at center in 18. Played well in multiple games, including Texas A&M. Fecanin may be this staff’s preferred model for recruiting HS OL – sign a crop of really good PWOs and develop those with the most talent and drive into scholarship quality players and starters. Backup to Dufour in the spring game. Surprised that he hasn’t taken ownership of one of the guard positions, because he showed the ability to handle an SEC defensive line last year. Perhaps that speaks well of the progress of seniors Smith and Galten at the two guards.
3. Will Rykard, 6-2, 300, FR (2019 2-star, 0.7842). Redshirt. Grow and strengthen.
Graduated: None

LEFT GUARD
1. Andrew Smith, 6-1, 300, SR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7597): 2 starts at center in 18 while Dufour and Fecanin were injured. Struggled against MTSU. Moved to guard and stated spring game. Not clear if he will retain that role with the influx of late JUCO offensive line signees.
2. Matthew Trehern, 6-3, 310, JR (2019 JUCO, 2-star, 0.7894 rating). Good size. May grow into a solid contributor but hadn’t taken a leading role on the OL by the end of spring practice – so he is not yet an obvious 2019 solution in the interior.
3. Zach Aylor, 6-4, 320, R-SO (2018 NR, PWO?): Good size. Had a Michigan offer at one time. Might push for a starting role at guard or right tackle.
4. Taylor Knight, 6-3, 280, R-FR (2018, NR, PWO), practice squad
Graduated: Rishard Cook (17 starts), 2ndTeam All CUSA

RIGHT GUARD
1. David Galton, 6-4, 310, R-SR (2017 JUCO 2-star, 0.7711): started one game in 18 (first MTSU). OL results in that game were not at all encouraging. But he started over Fecanin in the spring game, so perhaps he is ready to own a position after being here for three years.
2. Jakoby Jones, 6-1, 310, JR (2019 JUCO, late signee, not rated) late signee who arrived after spring practice. Appears talented due to numerous offers. Could make an impact in 2019 if he doesn’t redshirt. Chose UAB over offers from Tulane, Southern Miss, Louisiana, and FAU.
3. Chris Tucker, 6-4, 345, R-SR (NR, walk on): Saw the field occasionally in 18.
4. Chris Noble, 6-4, 300, R-FR (2018, NR, PWO), practice squad, future potential.
5. Clay Collins, 6-2, 300, FR (2019, PWO), practice squad, redshirt, future potential.
Graduated: Malique Johnson (24 starts), 2ndteam All CUSA

MOST ACCOMPLISHED RETURNEES: Spencer Brown (RB), Thomas Johnston III (QB), Lee Dufour (center), Kendall Parham (slot receiver), Hayden Pittman (TE). Not a long list.

PLAYERS EXPECTED TO STEP UP AND MAKE AN IMPACT: Austin Watkins (WR), RaJae Johnson (WR), Colby Ragland (LT), Sidney Wells (RT), Myron Michell (WR), TD Marshall (WR), Larry Wooden (RB), Kevin Smith (WR), Gerritt Prince (TE)

NEW FACES WHO MIGHT SUPRRISE: Jakoby Jones (guard), Shauntavius Vardman (tackle), Sydney Wells (RT)

STRONGEST POSITION: Running back

POSITION OF MOST CONCERN: offensive guard, the offense will go as far as this position allows

POSITION IN NEED OF MORE DEPTH: offensive guard/tackle

MOST INTRIGUING AND DIFFICULT TO EVALUTAE ROSTER POSITIONS: WR (for an abundance of unproven talent) and guard (for a lack of clarity on talent and depth)

TOP NEW PLAYER: RaJae Johnson (WR, #1 JUCO WR)

FRESHMAN SIGNEES MOST LIKELY TO IMPACT: none expected to contribute significantly in 2019

MOST LIKELY PLAYERS TO DRAW NATIONAL ATTENTION IF IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES: Spencer Brown, Lee Dufour, Tyler Johnston, Austin Watkins, RaJae Johhnson

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR 2020: There are only 4 seniors (Dufour, Galten, Smith and Parham) in the two-deep offensive depth chart, three of which will be first year starters at best. Almost the entire two-deep offense should return in 2020, with a year of experience for most of the offensive line. 2020 could be a all-time best offense if UAB can solidify the offensive line.
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2019 10:25 PM by Ranger1386c.)
07-08-2019 01:30 PM
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RANGER’S ROSTER REPORT: OFFENSE, 2019 - Ranger1386c - 07-08-2019 01:30 PM



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