UAB Blazers

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Defensive Analysys

Basically ... Defensive coordinator Wayne Bolt helped turn around the Blazer D. Now he should help make it a killer with experience and depth at every position with several options to work with and numerous All-Conference caliber players. The linebacking corps should be fantastic while the line, if everyone stays healthy, will be great if it can be a bit stronger against the run. The secondary only allowed 11 touchdowns last year and gets almost everyone back.

Star of the defense: Senior LB Zac Woodfin
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore DE Tony Haynes-Dalton
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore DE Jermaine McElveen
Best pro prospect: Senior DT Shamar Abrams
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Woodfin, 2) Abrams, 3) LB Nigel Eldridge
Strength of the defense: Linebacker
Weakness of the defense: Run defense

Defensive Line

Projected Starters
- Defensive end Jermaine McElveen, Soph. - The 245-pound McElveen was a freshman star leading the Blazers with six sacks to go along with 63 tackles and 22 quarterback hurries. He's a quick athlete who also proved to be physical enough to stop the run.
- Defensive tackle Sam Williamson, Jr. - Williamson was on the way to a huge season before hurting his leg missing half the season. He made 35 tackles and two sacks in only half a year.
- Defensive tackle Shamar Abrams, Sr. - He's the team's best lineman and one of the league's top run stoppers finishing third on the team with 84 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. The 320-pound senior should be an All-Conference performer.
- Defensive end Tony Haynes-Dalton, Soph. - The East Tennessee State transfer took over a starting spot this spring. The 285-pound sophomore is huge for an end and could move inside if needed.

Top Backups
- DT Ernest Respress, Jr. - Ernest and his brother Clarence will be the two top reserve tackles. Clarence transferred over from the JUCO ranks, while Ernest returns after making 36 tackles last year. Both are over 300 pounds.
- DE Kyle Bissinger, Soph. - The 255-pound sophomore has made the transition from quarterback beefing up to be an athletic end. He'll back up Jermaine McElveen coming off a 34 tackle season.
- NT Sam Kendrick, Jr. - Banged up last year, the 265-pound Kendrick was limited with a leg problem. When healthy he's one of the team's best tackles, but he needs to get back to 100%.

The Skinny: This could be one of the best lines in Conference USA if everyone stays healthy. There could be a little more depth and Tony Haynes-Dalton needs to emerge as a consistent end for Jermaine McElveen to shine as a pass rusher. Sharmar Abrams, Sam Williamson and the Respress brothers will form a rock of an interior.
Player to keep an eye on: Jermaine McElveen ... Defensive Line Rating: 7

Linebackers

Projected Starters
- Gaylon Black, Sr. - Black is 235 pounds and fast on the strongside making 66 tackles and 16 quarterback hurries. He had a few problems with a shoulder injury but still became a top producer.
- Nigel Eldridge, Sr. - Eldridge has been one of the better middle linebackers in the league over the last two years making 232 tackles. He's a physical player with good size and excellent hitting ability.
- Zac Woodfin, Sr. - One of the nation's leading tacklers, Woodfin has led the Blazers in each of the last two years with a total of 269 tackles. He's not just great against the run, he's great in pass coverage and also a menace in opposing backfields making 20 quarterback hurries, eight tackles for loss and two sacks last year on the weakside.

Top Backups
- DeMarcus Rodgers, Sr. - Rodgers is a linebacker-sized player with safety speed. He's an experienced backup making 53 tackles last year behind Nigel Eldridge in the middle.
- Darrius Taylor, Sr. - The 235-pound Taylor is extremely quick and a great reserve on the strongside. He made 62 tackles with six quarterback hurries.

The Skinny: There are five starting-caliber linebackers with all-star candidates in Zac Woodfin and Nigel Eldridge leading the way. Gaylon Black will also be in the hunt for All-Conference honors with a full season. There's too much experience and talent not to be the best corps in the league.
Player to keep an eye on: Marcus Mark ... Linebacker Line Rating: 8.5

Secondary

Projected Starters
- Cornerback Bobby Keyes, Sr. - With Dio Hill banged up, Keyes turned into one of the team's biggest surprises making 51 tackles and two interceptions with 13 broken up passes. He's a good sized player who could be in the All-Conference mix.
- Strong safety Dominique Cosper, Jr. - While not huge, the 190-pound Cosper has great range and good experience making 42 tackles. He took over the starting job this spring.
- Free safety Justin Whitmore, Jr. - Whitmore will combine with Julius Wainwright at free safety. Whitmore isn't as big as Wainwright, but he's a bit of a better hitter making 58 tackles. He led the team with three interceptions.
- Cornerback Carlos Hendricks, Sr. - Hendricks stepped into the role as the team's top corner after Dio Hill couldn't get healthy. He'll pair with Bobby Keyes, and maybe even Hill, to form a strong tandem. He's one of the team's fastest players.

Top Backups
- CB Dio Hill, Sr. - One of the best corners in Conference USA when he's healthy, Hill didn't do much last year with foot problems. The hope is that he'll be back and 100% to take over one of the starting jobs again.
- CB Jhun Cook, Jr. - Cook was the team's fourth leading receiver last year making 12 catches for 152 yards. With so many receivers, the athletic junior moved over to corner this spring to add some more depth.
- CB Durrell Fuqua, RFr. - Fuqua is young and inexperienced compared to the rest of the defensive backs, but he stood out this spring as one of the team's top corners showing great quickness and playmaking ability.
- FS Julius Wainright, Jr. - The 6-2, 190-pound junior is a good hitter and very fast. He'll push for time behind Justin Whitmore after finishing fourth on the team with 79 tackles last year.

The Skinny: The pass defense was a brick wall last season only allowing 11 touchdown passes and 208 yards per game. Just about everyone is back and things could be even better if Dio Hill can return to form. There's a great backup at every position and All-Conference candidates in Bobby Keyes and Justin Whitmore.
Player to keep an eye on: Jhun Cook ... Defensive Back Rating: 7

Special Teams

- Punter Parker Mullins, Soph. - Considering he was a freshman, Mullins had a terrific season averaging 41.1 yards per punt putting 16 inside the 20. With more experience, he should be one of the league's best punters.
- Placekicker Nick Hayes, Sr. - Hayes is one of the nation's best kickers hitting 17 of 20 field goals last year and 44 of 57 for his career. He has excellent range connecting on 6 of 7 shots from beyond 40 yards.

The Skinny: The kicking game will be tremendous as Parker Mullins gets more experienced. The return game is solid but unspectacular. Jason Southall will handle most of the kickoff returns average averaging 20 yards per try last year, while Reggie Lindsey and Durrell Fuqua will take over the punt return duties.
Linebacker Line Rating: 8


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