THE CHAMPION USA

The UAB Blazers returned 17 starters in 2009 and were a dark horse candidate to challenge in Conference USA. A 5-7 record and 4-4 in conference play had the Blazers missing out on bowl play by just one game. Do everything QB Joe Webb departed and now 16 returning starters this season give head coach Neil Callaway another experienced group. UAB hopes to gain a bowl invitation for only the second time in school history.

When opponents scouted the UAB offense last season, one player gained all the attention. Joe Webb was one of the biggest game breakers in the nation a year ago and accounted for over 3700 yards of total offense and 33 touchdowns. He made a seamless transition from wide receiver to quarterback. Webb was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 6th round. Sophomore David Isabelle will get an opportunity to make his own legacy in 2010. He will have to beat out Bryan Ellis, Jonathan Perry and Emmanuel Taylor for the starting position. Isabelle was Webb's back-up last season and seems to have the upper hand on the competition. Most of the rushing was done by the quarterback position in 09' as Webb and Isabelle were 1-2 in yards. Justin Brooks and Daniel Borne played a limited role in the offense and accounted for just more than 400 yards on the ground. Their opportunities should increase with Webb no longer behind center. WR Frantrell Forrest is UAB's most consistent player having been a big piece of the puzzle for three years already. His 34 catches and nine touchdowns led the Blazers last year. Nick Adams and Roddell Carter will pitch in at receiver also, while tight end Jeffery Anderson is a legit threat over the middle of the field and was second on the team in catches. The offensive line will miss C Jake Seitz greatly. He was a four year starter and leader of the team. Four starters return, however, and many of the young guys gained a full year of experience so this unit should not drop off much.
On defense, the Blazers gave up yards in bunches and really struggled to defend the pass. Opponents averaged 312 yards passing/game in a conference that is filled with spread offenses. Nine players return on this side of the ball, giving UAB one of the most experienced defensive units in C-USA. FS Hiram Atwater was the team's only all-conference selection on the 1st or 2nd team after a 89 tackle performance last year. He leads a secondary that returns three full time starters and adds some junior college talent to help with depth. Improving on their numbers last season against the pass should not be an issue. The defensive line was respectable against the run in 2009 and have nearly their entire two deep back intact. DE Bryant Turner had a team high six sacks and has made 18 starts in his career. DT Elliott Henigan is another key player up front and recorded 9.5 tackles for loss a year ago. All three starters are back at linebacker and Lamanski Ware is the most talented of the bunch. His 71 tackles ranked second on the team. Special teams should be strong this year with the return of both the kicker and punter. Josh Zach connected on 14-21 field goals a year ago with a long of 51 yards.
The Blazers play two non-conference games against SEC opponents Tennessee and Mississippi State. Their conference opener takes place in Week 2 at SMU. The East division is open for the taking this year and if UAB wants to earn a trip to the conference title game they must defend their home turf. There is a three week stretch at the end of the year where the Blazers will play key match-ups at home. I believe this is coach Callaway's finest team yet and see a 7-5 record for the boys out of Birmingham.