2019 Roster First Look: Offense
Again, as for defense previously, now the projected 2019 UAB offense.
Wish list for late period (or better yet, tonight) is a tall deep threat JUCO WR, the same as a freshman, a big time TE, a big Fr RB, a speed Fr RB, another JUCO guy with potential to start at guard or tackle, and a highly talented freshman guard.
.
Ranger’s Anticipated 2019 Depth Chart
UAB OFFENSE
Grades for positions, with existing roster and todays signees, and considering experience and apparent talent of each group:
A = all conference quality
B = solid position
C = questionable position group, TBD
D = position group not yet ready to compete
Recruiting rankings (in parenthesis) are from 247Sports composite.
QUARTERBACK (preseason projected grade = A-)
1. Tyler Johnston III, 6-2, 215, RSO (2016 3-star, 0.7972): 1323 yds, 57l.1% compl, 11 TD, 9 INT. Five games started in 18. Talented upgrade, who will only continue to get better with game experience, as he showed in Bocca Raton. Under-rated coming out of HS.
2. Dylan Hopkins, 6-1, 205, RFR (2018 3-star, 0.8004). Talented, although a bit on the small side. QB for Maryville HS in TN, where he led a big-time program to a state championship. Need him to be ready game 1 because our QBs run and get hit - a lot.
3. Bryson Lucero, 6-2, 215, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8195). Looked very good in IMG’s spanking of Hoover this year. Is he perhaps another under-rated steal for Clark & Co?
4. David Hendrick, 6-3, 200, RSO (2018 JUCO, NR, PWO).
Graduating: AJ Erdely
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE. TJ3 is a talented runner who provided a definite 2018 upgrade in passing skills– shows clear potential to grow into an all-conference QB if he stays healthy (loved his hit on safety Reed in the end zone of the MTSU game, but too many of those type extra hits may cost him some games eventually). More of a gambler and a better arm than Erdely, and not afraid to go deep, but also with higher potential for interceptions. That will improve with experience. Would like to have seen Ubosi and Carter have a full season with TJ3. Ubosi might have been a 1300 yard receiver.
Notes:Very strong at #1, but an injury here could have major impact. Backups are talented but no experience.
RUNNING BACK (grade = A+)
1. Spencer Brown, 6-0, 220, JR (2017 2-star, 0.7580):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. Might be his last year in college if he further improves. A step more speed would make him a hot prospect for the NFL.
2. Jarrion Street, 6-1, 210, SR (2018 3-star transfer, 0.8600): 48 carries, 275 yds, 1 TD. Fast. Didn’t get as many carries as expected in 18. Struggled with injuries. Made some plays, but never seemed to find his stride in a game. Lack of carries is a challenge but with UAB’s new OL next year his speed will be needed to open up the edges.
3. Lucious Stanley, 6-0, 215, RSO (2017 2-star): 52 carries, 274 yds. Very solid back. Fast. Needs more carries. Runs hard. A lot to like in Stanley. It’s good that he is now a class behind Brown.
4. Larry Wooden, 6-0, 210, RSO (2018 2-star transfer, 0.7891): Ark St transfer (secondary), originally from Spain Park. Really want to see him play. HS game film is impressive. Intrigued to see how fast he really is at this level.
Graduating: James Noble
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE. More experienced backups. Wooden available.
Notes:Running back should continue to be the team strength, due to talent, experience and depth, but may not look as strong in the early season due to 4 new offensive linemen. However, the long-term future is a bit fuzzy at RB. Wooden, a RSO, looks like the youngest back on the roster. Could have used a big-time freshman RB like Jamontez Woods, but he committed to Troy earlier this week.
WIDE RECEIVER (grade = C+)
1. Myron Mitchell, 6-0, 170, JR (2017 JUCO 3-star, 0.8267): JUCO originally committed in Oct 17 after a decommit from Texas Tech. Reported to be joining team in 19. Very talented, but let’s hope his long journey actually gets him to spring or fall camp.
2. Kevin Davis, 6-0, 200, RSO (2017 3-star, 0.8221). Noted by coaches in preseason as showing promise, but zero catches to date. Was hoping to see him play this year.
3. Xavier Lanier, 6-2, 195, RFR (2018 2-star, 0.7903). Currently a DB, but I anticipate a move to WR if he has decent hands. Elite speed,good heightand size.
4. Werlean Pollock, RFR? Currently listed as a DB also but might shift to offense. Had a carry out of the backfield in the bowl game. His full write-up is with the safeties.
5. Alec Marsch, 6-1, 190, RJR (walk on): zero catches in 18, 3rdon depth chart all season
Graduating: Xavier Ubosi
Anticipated 2019 position status:DOWNGRADE vs Ubosi, but hopefully Mitchell will be good enough to close most of the gap. But no WR on the current roster looks like a tall, deep threat. It’s anticipated that this is a major area of emphasis for the late recruiting cycle.
Notes: No players with D1 experience.
WIDE RECEIVER (grade = B-)
1. Austin Watkins, 6-3, 200, SR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7744): 2018 = 7 caches for 47 yds.Flashed potential in early season but disappeared mid-season with emergence of Carter. Probably not as fast as Carter but showed the ability to catch a ball in traffic. Didn’t see the field in the bowl game, so I’m wondering if there was an injury or issue.
2. Gerritt Prince, 6-5, 220, RJR (2018 JUCO, 2-star): The staff is excited about this guy. Showed brief flashes of athleticism in his RS season. Will probably be listed as a TE but they may need him more at WR, depending on which WRs sign in this class.
3. Sederian Copeland, 6-0, 175, RSR (2016 JUCO 3-star, 0.8376): Injured in 18. Big bonus for team if he gets medical waiver for last season. Good speed. Showed flashes of potential in 2017 when healthy.
Graduating: Kailon Carter
Anticipated 2019 position status:DOWNGRADE. Watkins showed he could catch the ball in the early season but disappeared behind Carter. Will benefit from the year of experience.
Notes: Our 2019 receiving corps will have little height, except Watkins, which is why Prince will play some wide-out as well as TE, although these days it can be hard to tell the difference.
SLOT RECEIVER (grade = B-)
1. Kendall Parham, 5-10, 180, SR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7733): 2018 = 14 catches for 196 yds, 0 TDs. 70 rush yds. Proved that he could be a playmaker in 18 but didn’t see the ball very often after mid-season. Probably not quite as talented as Wilson but would like to see that conjecture proven wrong.
2. TD Marshall, 6-0, 185, RJR (2017 transfer, high 3-star out of HS, 0.8549): Samford transfer. 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 an impact on a talented Samford team?
3. Demetrius Davis, 5-11, 180, RJR. (2016 3-star, 0.8025) Talented, fast, but still waiting to see something. Injured in 18.
4. Jonathan Haden, 5-7, 175, RSR (2017 transfer 3-star, 0.8000): Hopefully he gets a medical waiver for 18. Made a few plays in 17. Former Arizona player. Good quickness.
5. Markus Grossman, 5-11, 180, JR (2019 JUCO signee, NR). Film looks like he has very quick feet and can make the hard catches in traffic.
6. Conner Howell, 6-0, 180, RFR: PWO, but will eventually play. Talented. Turned down offer to walk on at UAB.
7. Wes McCollum, 5-10, 175, RFR: PWO, but could see the field.
Graduating: Andre Wilson, Colin Lisa
Anticipated 2019 position status:SIGNIFICANT DOWNGRADEvs Wilson & Lisa unless Marshall or Grossman surprises.
Notes:Difficult to anticipate due to complete absence of playing time of 2018 of everyone but Parham, but as a play-making WR Wilson will be very difficult to replace with a cast of inexperienced players.
TIGHT END (grade = B-)
1. Hayden Pittman, 6-4, 230, RSO (originally a walk on): 8 catches, 66 yds, 0 TD. Occasional starter for 2 years. Good receiver and very solid blocker. Solid player.
2. Thair Blakes, 6-5, 255, RSR (2017 JUCO 2-star, 0.7533): Little playing time thus far, but a big body.
3. Skylor Clinton, 6-3, 250, RJR (2016 JUCO 2-star, 0.7782): looks like a blocking H-back.
4. Logan Arnold, 6-5, 240, RSO (2017 2-star, 0.7850).
Graduating: Logan Scott, Donnie Lee
Anticipated 2019 position status:LEVEL.Due to both the change in QB and the addition of Gerritt Prince (listed above as a WR but will also play TE) and the lack of TE impact in 18.
Notes:Surprisingly, TE was not a common target for UAB in 18. Lee had half the targets one would have anticipated. But Erdely had substantial difficulties with the short ball most of the season, which did not benefit the TEs.
LEFT TACKLE (grade = B-)
1. Colby Ragland, 6-5, 305, RJR (2018 JUCO 3-star, 0.8006): Zero starts but well regarded out of JUCO. Anticipated to be a solid tackle but early season may be a challenge.
2. Jayme Simmons, 6-5, 270, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8625): UAB’s most significant and highly rated signee of the 19 class since he is local and UAB has not traditionally signed elite HS offensive linemen. Had a number of Power 5 offers, including Nebraska. May need a RS year if possible to add weight and strength. Could easily be a four-year starter at LT, perhaps with Ragland moving to RT in 20, if simmons is redshirted in 19.
3. Carter Wood, 6-5, 295, RJR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7583)
4. Garrett Morgan, 6-6, 320, RJR (walk on)
Graduating: James Davis (27 starts), 2nd Team All CUSA
Anticipated 2019 position status:MODEST DOWNGRADEvs James Davis (definitely in experience, maybe not in talent).
Notes: This could be a solid position by mid-season, as Ragland has a better frame for LT than Davis, but the early season will be a challenge as he learns the speed of the game. Simmons is extremely talented, but at his weight will he be ready to play as a true FR?
LEFT GUARD (grade = C+)
1. Sidney Wells, 6-4, 330, JR (2019 JUCO 2-star, 0.7900). Big body and guards are a huge position of need. Unknown other than that, but hopefully, he is ready to start game one.
2. Zach Aylor, 6-4, 325, RSO (2018 NR, PWO?): Heard the staff likes this guy. Good size. Had a Michigan offer at one time. Might push for a starting role at guard or right tackle.
3. Taylor Knight, 6-3, 280, RFR (2018, NR, PWO)
Graduating:Rishard Cook (17 starts), 2ndTeam All CUSA
Anticipated 2019 position status:SIGNIFICANT DOWNGRADEvs Rishard Cook (2ndteam All CUSA).
Notes:Guard has been the position that UAB has been most shaky in recruiting obvious talent. Hopefully Aylor proves to be a hidden gem.
CENTER (grade = A-)
1. Lee Dufour, 6-4, 310, RSR (2014 2-star, 0.7667): 24 games started. Bell cow of OL. Injured mid 18. All conferene in 19.
2. Andrew Smith, 6-1, 300, SR (2018 JUCO 2-star, 0.7597): 2 starts in 18 while Fecanin was injured. Struggled at MTSU. Might also be able to move over to guard if needed.
3. Will Rykard, 6-2, 280, FR (2019 2-star, 0.7842). RS. Grow.
Graduating: None
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE. More experience and experienced depth.
Notes:Center will be the strength of the O-line.
RIGHT GUARD (grade = B)
1. Greg Fecanin, 6-3, 325, RJR (2016 walk on, NR): 3 starts at center in 18. Played well in multiple games, including Texas A&M. Will likely own one of the guard positions unless we finish really well in the late signing class. 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.
2. David Galton, 6-4, 315, RSR (2017 JUCO 2-star, 0.7711): started one game in 18 (first MTSU). OL results in that game were not at all encouraging.
3. Matthew Trehern, 6-3, 300, JR (2019 JUCO, NR). Likely to RS and develop strength. Originally a South Alabama commit in 16 but went JUCO.
4. Chris Tucker, 6-4, 320, RSR (NR, walk on): Saw the field occasionally in 18.
5. Chris Noble, 6-4, 290, RFR (2018, NR, PWO)
6. EJ Lane, 6-2, 340, RJR (NR, walk on)
Graduating: Malique Johnson (24 starts), 2ndteam All CUSA
Anticipated position status:MODEST DOWNGRADE,but good news is that Fecanin has game experience and has proven to be able to handle an SEC D-line.
Notes:Fecanin showed ability to handle an O-line role this year. Solid starter, but will he stay at center to backup Dufour if another guard emerges from our JUCO guys?
RIGHT TACKLE (grade = C-)
1. Patrick Nuss, 6-7, 310, RSO (2017 2-star, 0.7891): 0 starts but played 3 quarters of 1st MTSU game after Justice was booted. Struggled. 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, ideally.
2. Jordan Jamison, 6-7, 320, RJR (2016 2-star, 0.7884): Didn’t see the field in 18. Nice size.
3. Jayme Simmons or Sidney Wells might have to play here if Nuss is not ready.
Graduating: Justice Powers (27 starts, first team All CUSA in 18, designated enforcer for 18 O-line)
Anticipated 2019 position status:SIGNIFICANT DOWNGRADEvs Powers based on a single game sample and experience.
Notes: This appears to be a significant gap in the 2019 team. The substitution for Powers and Cook in the MTSU game resulted -1 yards rushing and 7 sacks, an all-time worst game for a modern era UAB OL. Might J. Simmons or Z. Aylor play RT in 19? It’s up to Nuss to answer that question. Frankly, I hope he shines because UAB needs to give Simmons a year to grow.
(This post was last modified: 12-19-2018 11:30 PM by Ranger1386c.)
|
/
2019 Roster First Look: Offense
