2026 Football Roster Tracker
How is UAB's roster shaping up during Alex Mortensen's first offseason at the helm of the program?
Last updated January 5th
UAB’s 2025 offseason promises to be one of its wildest in recent memory. Although the Blazers’ decision to promote an interim coach rather than bring in a new staff will (to some extent) mitigate the upcoming transfer exodus, the Green and Gold have already suffered the departures of several critical pieces. At the same time, Alex Mortensen and company are preparing to import a massive boatload of talent, looking to propel UAB to its first winning season since 2022.
Follow all the action right here — this page will be updated every time the Blazers lose a player or gain a commitment.
A visualization of UAB’s current roster by class can be found here:
Gone is the era of the spring transfer portal window. This year, player movement will take place between January 2nd through January 16th, making the upcoming weeks the busiest stretch of the offseason. Below, each of UAB’s position groups is separated into:
Players that are able to return and that haven’t indicated their intentions to transfer.
Players out of eligibility, players that have declared for the draft, or players that have indicated their intentions to transfer.
Newcomers.
A short summary of each position group is also provided.
For the majority of players, it is apparent whether they have the option to return to school, but some — indicated by asterisks and footnotes — are listed on UAB’s 2026 roster when they seemingly shouldn’t be (and vice versa). Take their placements with a grain of salt.
Quarterbacks
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Ryder Burton (redshirt junior) - 213
Nate Rogers (redshirt sophomore) - 21
Adrian Posse (redshirt sophomore) - 0
Vanden Duggar (sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Jalen Kitna (out of eligibility) - 639
Cam Jennings (transfer portal) - 0
Newcomers
Brogan McNab (true freshman)
Overview
Over the years, Mortensen has developed a reputation as something of a quarterback whisperer, working with Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Bryce Young, and Jacob Zeno, among others. It seems UAB’s new head coach has secured another protégé, as Ryder Burton is expected to remain on the Southside and inherit Jalen Kitna’s role in 2026.
The redshirt junior, a former BYU and West Virginia transfer, turned in the performance of the season during UAB’s upset of Memphis, completing 20 of 27 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in relief of Kitna. Although Burton cooled off against UConn and Rice before being relegated to the bench in UAB’s final three games, his dominant effort against the Tigers left fans dreaming of what could be. Mortensen has spoken highly of Burton, who is all but guaranteed the starting job. This position group is not one the Blazers will focus on over the offseason.
Behind Burton is presumptive backup Nate Rogers, who primarily acted as a designed runner last season, Adrian Posse, a three-star recruit in the class of 2024, and Vanden Duggar, a walk-on from Dana Point, California. Signing with the Blazers out of high school is Brogan McNab, an athletic, dual-threat quarterback Mortensen indicated might change positions.
Walk-on Cam Jennings, a Birmingham native and Parker High School alumnus who had been with UAB since 2024, announced his intention to transfer on January 2nd.
Running Backs
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Amari Brundidge (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 5
Marquise Collins (redshirt junior) - 0
Drew Patterson (sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Jevon Jackson (out of eligibility) - 394
Isaiah Jacobs (out of eligibility) - 332
Solomon Beebe (transfer portal) - 281
Newcomers
Hudson Higgins (true freshman)
Overview
UAB’s running back room has served as its offensive heart and soul since the program returned from shutdown in 2017. Although the Blazers haven’t boasted a DeWayne McBride-level talent in several seasons, this unit remained productive in 2025.
Unfortunately, it’s being gutted, with its top three contributors graduating or transferring. UAB’s leading returning rusher is quarterback Nate Rogers, who accumulated a grand total of 84 yards on the ground in 2025. The Blazers currently roster three backs — Marquise Collins and walk-ons Amari Brundidge and Drew Patterson — who own a combined four career carries. Brundidge, a Birmingham native and Parker High School alumnus, has endeared himself to the UAB fanbase and will certainly be afforded opportunities next fall, as will Hudson Higgins, a three-star true freshman who recently led Mars Hill High School to an Alabama 3A state title. Nevertheless, one can expect the Blazers to target an experienced, productive running back in the transfer portal.
Although his title remains unknown, the return of former Blazers running backs coach Hindley Brigham is a timely one. Brigham helped develop McBride, Jermaine Brown Jr., and Spencer Brown into the top three rushers in program history; he is likely to play a prominent role in UAB’s search for a new bell-cow.
Wide Receivers
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Xavier Daisy (junior) - 367
Kaleb Brown (redshirt senior) - 188
Jaylen Elder (sophomore) - 102
AJ Johnson (graduate student) - 32
CD Gill (sophomore) - 5
Jailen Holmes (redshirt senior) - 0
Malik Muhammad (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Levi Brayton (sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Lamar White (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Iverson Hooks (transfer portal) - 585
Corri Milliner (transfer portal) - 259
Brandon Hawkins (declared for NFL Draft) - 514
Evan McCray (declared for NFL Draft) - 140
Aron Marsch (out of eligibility) - 2
Newcomers
Jayden Skelton (true freshman)
Overview
In November, the talented Corri Milliner hit the transfer portal after twice being suspended during the 2025 season. Leading receiver Iverson “Strap” Hooks, perhaps UAB’s most valuable player, also recently announced his departure, and it’s easy to understand why: he has drawn interest from Oregon, Indiana, LSU, and Auburn, among others.
With Brandon Hawkins and Evan McCray setting their sights on the next level, the Blazers’ receiving room primarily consists of inexperienced returners. If UAB retains Kaleb Brown and Xavier Daisy, who have posted 493 and 201 career receiving yards, respectively, the duo will become the eldest in the room. Both players occupied peripheral roles last season but stand to inherit greater responsibilities.
One can expect an influx of players here. As it stands, the only slated newcomer is Jayden Skelton, a 5’9”, 160-pound freshman who signed with UAB during December’s National Signing Day.
Tight Ends
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Antonio Ferguson (redshirt junior) - 319
Joshua Rubin (redshirt junior, walk-on) - 14
Brayden Johnson (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 5
Gabriel Cline (sophomore) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Elijah Lagg (transfer portal) - 524
J.C. Sivley (transfer portal) - 265
Aaron Mattingly (transfer portal) - 0
Connor Harby (out of eligibility) - 0
Newcomers
N/A
Overview
According to SIS, UAB tight ends ran 363 routes in 2025; other than UTSA, no American team’s tight ends ran more. Although the unit wasn’t as productive as it was during the first two years of tight ends coach Reilly Jeffers’ tenure, it nevertheless posted 36 catches for 338 receiving yards. Elijah Lagg and Antonio Ferguson led the way, combining for 83% of the group’s production, while J.C. Sivley accumulated 59 receiving yards.
The steady-handed Lagg, who caught 16 of his 19 short-yardage targets last season, has departed, as have Sivley, Aaron Mattingly, and the graduating Connor Harby. A former JUCO transfer, Lagg started in all 12 games during his lone campaign on the Southside, acting as a reliable safety blanket for Jalen Kitna. Sivley caught seven balls over his four years in Birmingham, while Mattingly spent one uneventful season at UAB after signing with the Blazers in February 2025. The walk-on Harby never saw the field during his time with the program.
UAB’s options at tight end currently consist of Antonio Ferguson, who racked up 115 receiving yards on 10 catches in 2025, Gabriel Cline, a three-star recruit in the class of 2025, and walk-ons Brayden Johnson and Joshua Rubin. The tight end position is typically one the Blazers lean on, so expect reinforcements to join Ferguson, Cline, and company.
Offensive Linemen
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
✻ Adam Lepkowski1 (redshirt senior) - 873
Barry Walker (redshirt sophomore) - 163
✻ Kyrik Mason2 (graduate student) - 89
✻ Rod Orr Jr.3 (graduate student) - 5
Ryan Gunter (redshirt senior) - 2
Jaden Ligon (redshirt sophomore) - 2
Aidan Platt (sophomore) - 0
Donovan Lawrence (sophomore) - 0
Kade Martin (redshirt sophomore) - 0
Nelson Ramirez (senior) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
JonDarius Morgan (declared for NFL Draft) - 868
Brandon Sneh (transfer portal) - 795
Logan Moore (transferred to Baylor) - 650
Calib Perez (transfer portal) - 548
Baron Franks II (out of eligibility) - 306
Payton Kirkland (transfer portal) - 78
Mason Chorak (transfer portal) - 0
Daniel Mincey (dismissed) - 0
Newcomers
Wes Wiggins (true freshman)
The bad news: UAB is losing its starting left tackle (Brandon Sneh), its backup left tackle (Payton Kirkland), its starting left guard (Calib Perez), its backup left guard (Baron Franks II), its starting right guard (JonDarius Morgan), and its starting right tackle (Logan Moore). After turning in an up-and-down 2025 campaign, the Blazers’ line sheds its most talented players. It will prove particularly difficult to replace Sneh, as experienced, quality left tackles go for a premium on the open market. The 6’6”, 305-pound Kirkland, a former four-star recruit, seemed to be Sneh’s logical successor, but according to 247Sports, he entered the transfer portal on January 2nd. UAB’s remaining linemen own a combined zero career snaps at left tackle.
The good news: talented pieces remain. Center Adam Lepkowski, a Hoover native and former walk-on who has been at UAB for five seasons, should have one more year of eligibility — he redshirted in 2021 and missed the entire 2024 campaign with an injury. If the Blazers can convince him to stay on the Southside, they’ll be returning a player that finished the 2025 season with the second-highest PFF offensive grade among American Conference centers. Right tackle Barry Walker, one of the highest-rated recruits in UAB history, posted the Blazers’ fourth-highest PFF pass-blocking grade while serving as Moore’s backup last year. Kyrik Mason owns 782 career snaps across stints at Monmouth, Georgia State, and UAB.
Outside of Lepkowski, Walker, and Mason, no remaining UAB offensive lineman got more than five snaps in 2025. One of the Blazers’ many inexperienced players may very well step up next fall; however, Mortensen and company will certainly look to bolster the line with proven pieces, perhaps plumbing the lower ranks for talent as they did last offseason, when they signed Sneh from FCS Wagner.
Interior Defensive Linemen
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Kyle Mosley (redshirt sophomore) - 159
✻ DeMarcus Smith4 (graduate student) - 89
✻ Nigel Tate5 (graduate student) - 0
Josh Underwood (sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Fred Owens (redshirt junior, walk-on) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Denver Warren (declared for NFL Draft) - 423
Eamon Smalls (transferred to Kansas) - 416
Jonathan Allen (transfer portal) - 390
JaSire Peterson (transfer portal) - 105
Peter Simmons (out of eligibility) - 0
Newcomers
N/A
UAB will have to replace its top three interior defensive linemen, losing snap leader Denver Warren and productive, homegrown pieces Eamon Smalls and Jonathan Allen. It will be a boon to the Green and Gold if DeMarcus Smith (who is listed on UAB’s 2026 roster and finished 2025 with the highest PFF grade of any Blazer defender) and Nigel Tate (who suffered an Achilles injury in September and will likely be awarded a medical redshirt) are able to return. Otherwise, it’s a near-total reset on the interior, with redshirt sophomore Kyle Mosley the lone contributor slated to come back; walk-ons Josh Underwood and Fred Owens make up the rest of the unit.
Mosley is no slouch, a perfectly solid building block: in his lone start of the season, which came in UAB’s finale against Tulsa, he saw 31 snaps and posted a stellar PFF defensive grade of 84.2. Nevertheless, expect this group to get some attention in the coming weeks.
Edge Rushers
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Chris Burge (redshirt sophomore) - 308
J’Quan Mason (redshirt sophomore) - 140
✻ James Smyre6 (graduate student) - 71
Myles Cook (redshirt sophomore) - 40
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Ezra Odinjor (transfer portal) - 493
Amorie Morrison (out of eligibility) - 426
Jamichael Rogers (declared for NFL Draft) - 155
Zach Johnson (transfer portal) - 121
James Steel (transfer portal) - 4
Newcomers
N/A
Similarly to their counterparts on the interior line, UAB’s edge rushing crew is going to have to replace some production. Starter Ezra Odinjor led the team in pass-rushing snaps and quarterback hurries, but he jumped into the portal at the beginning of 2026, while the versatile Amorie Morrison and the rotational piece Jamichael Rogers have both exhausted their eligibility.
However, the Blazers have an opportunity to retain Chris Burge, who led the team in sacks and quarterback pressures despite ranking fifth in pass-rushing snaps. Of UAB players who haven’t yet decided where they’re going to be competing next season, Mortensen and company should perhaps expend the most effort in keeping Burge. During his second campaign in Birmingham, J’Quan Mason also proved himself a capable player; although he saw diminished snap counts after Dilfer was fired, he turned in solid efforts against Akron, FAU, and Rice. The retentions of James Smyre and Myles Cook would give UAB further depth on the edge.
Like most of the Blazers’ position groups, this unit could stand to be bolstered, but if the Green and Gold can add a splash of talent while holding onto Burge and Mason, things might trend upwards.
Linebackers
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Gage Messick (redshirt senior, walk-on) - 0
Braxtyn Davies (sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Phillip Davison Jr. (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Jacoby Bridges (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Devin Hightower (transfer portal) - 652
Tylan McNichols (transfer portal) - 353
Calvin Pitcher (out of eligibility) - 307
Eddy Toussom (transfer portal) - 284
Eli Ennis (transfer portal) - 87
Brandon Franklin (transfer portal) - 8
Newcomers
Malachi Character (true freshman)
Tylan McNichols’ January 5th portal entry means a complete rebuild here.
Devin Hightower, the Blazers’ leading tackler and starting Mike linebacker for most of the season, is departing. Following a campaign full of inconsistent playing time, Calvin Pitcher is out of eligibility. After coming alive in the wake of Dilfer’s firing, racking up nearly all of his counting stats during the second half of the 2025 season, Eddy Toussom jumped into the portal. Eli Ennis, who transferred to UAB from Nicholls State in 2024 after being named a finalist for the FCS Buck Buchanan Award, recently entered the portal again, appearing in just four games for the Blazers.
The Green and Gold signed an athletic, versatile true freshman last month in Malachi Character, but what they need most urgently is instant-impact players. The first task for new UAB defensive coordinator Todd Grantham: rapidly acquire proven talent at both this position and others across the front seven.
Secondary
Potential Returning Players - 2025 Snaps
Delvon Gulley (junior) - 396
✻ Tamarion Crumpley7 (graduate student) - 292
✻ Pierre Royster8 (graduate student) - 271
Roy Williams (graduate student, walk-on) - 181
Isaiah Crozier (redshirt junior) - 159
Julius Lane Jr. (sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Love Kirby (redshirt sophomore, walk-on) - 0
Outgoing Players - 2025 Snaps
Jeremiah Vessel (transfer portal) - 493
Sirad Bryant (declared for NFL Draft) - 393
T’sai McDaniel (declared for NFL Draft) - 353
AJ Brown (transfer portal) - 349
Perry Fisher (transfer portal) - 334
Tariq Watson (transfer portal) - 273
Donald Lee (declared for NFL Draft) - 206
Jalen Cheek (out of eligibility) - 196
✻ Josh Baka9 (out of eligibility) - 10
Kyle McKinney (transfer portal) - 2
Jaylyn Ferguson (transfer portal) - 1
Ja’Lyen Judson (transfer portal) - 0
Josiah Crawford (transfer portal) - 0
Newcomers
Daimir Hicks (true freshman)
Mykale Hrabowski (true freshman)
JP Price (true freshman)
Nowhere else on UAB’s coaching staff has there been a greater shakeup than in the defensive backfield. Around Christmas, the program parted ways with defensive coordinator Steve Russ, cornerbacks coach Ryan Lewis Sr., and nickels coach Tee Mitchell, the architects of a secondary that, like all of the Blazers’ defensive units, was inconsistent at best and downright porous at worst.
Now, essentially all of that secondary is gone. Home-grown development projects (T’sai McDaniel and AJ Brown), multi-season veterans (Sirad Bryant, Tariq Watson, and Donald Lee), and last year’s imports (Jeremiah Vessel, Perry Fisher, and Jalen Cheek) have moved on. Assuming Tamarion Crumpley, one of the better cornerbacks of the Dilfer era, and Pierre Royster, the Blazers’ 2025 leader in interceptions, don’t return, Grantham and his new assistants will be looking at a mostly clean slate.
That could mean a lot of things. Does the new defensive regime see the few remaining contributors in the secondary — particularly the oft-used Delvon Gulley, but also Roy Williams and Isaiah Crozier — as part of their plan going forward? What about Daimir Hicks, Mykale Hrabowski, and JP Price, true freshmen all signed prior to the new regime’s arrival? We’ll get a picture of the staff’s strategy in the coming weeks. This is a position group with a lot of variables at play.
Special Teams
Potential Returning Players
Jonah DeLange (senior)
Owen Simpson (sophomore, walk-on)
Outgoing Players
Patrick Foley (out of eligibility)
Wyatt Martin (transfer portal)
Newcomers
N/A
The Blazers are slated to return Jonah DeLange, their starting kicker since 2024, and Owen Simpson, last season’s kickoff specialist. Those positions should remain stable, but Patrick Foley’s graduation means UAB needs to find a new punter.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day and not listed on UAB’s 2026 roster, but has only played three full seasons: 2022, 2023, and 2025. Redshirted in 2021 and missed the 2024 campaign with injury.
Not listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day and listed on UAB’s 2026 roster, but has appeared in games in four seasons: 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Redshirted in 2021.
Not listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day and listed on UAB’s 2026 roster. Redshirted in 2021. Did not appear in games in 2022 and 2023. Appeared in 3 games in 2024 and 8 games in 2025.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day, but also listed on UAB’s 2026 roster. Redshirted in 2021. Did not appear in games in 2022. Appeared in 2 games in 2023, 9 games in 2024, and 5 games in 2025.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day, but also listed on UAB’s 2026 roster. Redshirted in 2021. Did not appear in games in 2022 or 2024. Appeared in 9 games in 2023. Missed the entire 2025 season with injury.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day, but also listed on UAB’s 2026 roster. Did not appear in games in 2022, but not listed as having redshirted that year. Appeared in 10 games in 2023, 11 games in 2024, and 8 games in 2025.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day, but also listed on UAB’s 2026 roster. Redshirted in 2021. Did not appear in games in 2022. Appeared in 12 games in 2023, 3 games in 2024, and 7 games in 2025.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day, but also listed on UAB’s 2026 roster. Has appeared in games in five seasons: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Listed as part of UAB’s 2025 Senior Day and not listed on UAB’s 2026 roster, but has played fewer than four seasons: redshirted in 2022, appeared in 9 games in 2023, 12 games in 2024, and 2 games in 2025.