 2019 Roster First Look: Defense
Im home from work for a month recovering from surgery and had too much time on my hands, so here is an early roster projection and comments. I live out of state and have zero inside information so take it all in that context. Your comments, insider knowledge and corrections are welcomed.
First, after this morning’s phenomenal start, a 2019 Defense Recruiting wish list for the late signing period. Hint: We need DTs, but who doesnt.
1. Everett Cunningham, rush DE, JUCO
2. Tony Fair, DT, JUCO
3. Jaquavious Collins, DT, JUCO commit
4. Nick Curtis, OLB, Fr
5. Colin Duncan, CB, Fr
6. JD Martin, Ath, Fr
7. Brian Merrit, DT, FR
8. Jereme Robinson, DE, Fr commit
9. Michael Lockhart, DE, Fr com
10. Corrie Hutcherson, DT, Fr
Now to the roster. This is very long.
Grades for positions, which include consideration of group experience and apparent talent, are:
A = all conference quality
B = solid position
C = questionable position group, TBD
D = position group not yet ready to compete
Includes todays signees. Recruiting rankings (in parenthesis), for what they are worth, are from 247 sports composite.
RANGER’S 2109 UAB DEFENSiVE ROSTER Projection
(following the structure of the UAB game roster for the bowl game, with extra LB position).
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (2019 preseason Grade = A-)
1. Garrett Marino, 6-2, 290, RSR (2015, transfer 2-star 0.700): 19 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1TD. You have to love this. Marino was the lowest rated scholarship player on UAB’s team. Recruiting experts, meh. A terror when healthy. Poster child for player development. He ate the lunch of several O-lines this year (including UNT), and the DL missed him after he was injured late season, particularly in the MTSU games.
2. Michael Wright, 6-4, 290, RSR (2016 JUCO 2-star, 0.7805). 1 tackle. No game impact to date.
3. Jammal Abrams, 6-2, 250, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8538). Will develop into another mobile DT terror after a couple of years in the program. RS in 19 if UAB can sign some larger DTs in the late signing class.
4. Kevin Penn, 6-3, 300, FR (2019, not rated). Will probably need a year or two to develop but a nice big body. Also offered by Ole Miss. could grow into a nose tackle.
Graduating: Zach Williams
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE due to more experience for Marino and likely eventual addition of one or more JUCO DTs.
Notes: Marino will be the defensive line bell cow for 19. Quick and aggressive when healthy. Backups are a concern, and hopefully will be addressed in the 2019 late signing class.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE (Grade = C)
1. Rio Stanley, 6-2, 270, RJR (2018 transfer, 3-star LB out of HS to USF): USF transfer. Higher ranked out of high school (as a LB, though) than our other tackles, but obviously a guess. Gained a lot of weight after arriving at USF as a LB and moving to DL. Maybe a model for Abrams.
2. Antonio Moultrie, 6-4, 285, RSO (2017 JUCO 2-star, 0.7667): 2 tackles.Former USM signee, but went JUCO. RS in 18.
3. Michael Fairbanks, 6-3, 260, RFR (2018 3-star, 0.8104): High potential out of HS. 18 RS. Ready to see him play.
Graduating: Quindarrius Thagard
Anticipated 2019 position status:DOWNGRADE. Thagard was a beast and definitely underappreciated. Replacements have 0 starts and less than 3 tackles combined. In 2020 this position could be a strength but FY19 is very uncertain.
Notes: The quality of this group is a complete unknown, outside the staff, due to zero playing experience. Talent is there. Stanley was a 3-star LB out of HS. Fairbanks was a highly regarded recruit. Moultrie has nice size. If JUCO commit J. Collins signs, he might own this position and would move the grade up to the B range.
NOSE TACKLE (Grade = C+)
1. Fish McWilliams, 6-0, 320, RFR (2018 2-star, 0.7691): 3 tackles. Showed very good DL skills and aggressiveness in the limited snaps he played in his 18 RS year. Quick. Looked like he could have played full time as a FR. He appears to be able to handle the role, but is 5 inches shorter than Rush….
2. Tyrus Butler, 6-3, 345, RJR (2018 JUCO signee, not rated, but rated 3-star out of HS): Former Miss St signee but had to go JUCO. It would be nice to see him step up and own the nose position, since he’s closer to Anthony Rush size.
Graduating: Anthony Rush. 2ndTeam All CUSA.
Anticipated 2019 position status:SIGNIFICANT DOWNGRADE. Rush was the literal heart of the 19 defense. He was ridiculously good and notably better than he was in 17 (shows the quality of player development at UAB). Replacements have 0 starts and less than 5 tackles combined.
Notes: This group is an unknown at the present time. Hopefully, Butler emerges very quickly.
JACK LINEBACKER (Grade = B): This position changed most drastically on signing day.
1. Jordan Smith, 6-6, 220, JR (2019 JUCO 3-star, 0.8500). Huge signee. Former 4-star player who spent a year at U-Florida. Smith needs a team like UAB, and UAB definitely needed him. There was no obvious Jack on the roster (maybe Johnston) prior to his signing. Needs to gain 10-15 pounds in off-season. Might prove to be as good as anyone we’ve had at that position.
2. Alex Wright, 6-4, 225, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8204). Great signee. A foundational, 4-year player. May rotate in as a true FR. Interested to see how fast he is.
3. Deshaun Oliver, 6-2, 215, RFR (2018 2-star, 0.7798): One of our taller LBs. Former safety so has some speed. Hopefully puts on another 10 pounds this off-season. Probably not yet ready to own a position in his second year.
Graduating: Everyone. Jamell Garcia-Williams (2ndteam All CUSA), Stacy Keely, Kylen Binn.
Anticipated 2019 position status:DOWNGRADE. Williams and Keely were a rare combination of size, speed and aggressiveness -each with 2 yrs experience. L
Notes: Who plays this key position in 19 is anyone’s guess as there is no returning experience. I suspect most of the LBs this year will rotate multi-positions to fill gaps.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (Grade = B-)
1. Jalan Rayam, 6-0, 230, RFR (2018 3-star, 0.8416): 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 QBH. Huge 18 recruit for UAB. Flashed his talent in limited 18 playing time. He will be ready to own one of the LB spots in 19, but which one? Limited height for an outside position, so he may rotate more inside with Mofor depending on how fast Conner develops. Has more speed than Johnston, so UAB may need him to play outside in 19 as the younger guys develop. But Will Conner could earn this spot if he is game ready as a FR.
2. Adrienne Talan, 6-0, 215, RSR (2016 3-star transfer, 0.8415): 9 tackles, 1 sack. Nebraska transfer with little impact to date in 2 years of playing time. Has potential. One of UAB’s half-dozen 6-0 tall linebackers.
3. Terrell McDonald, 6-2, 210, FR (2019 2-star, 0.7597): Under-rated. Was a QB. Will be a solid LB after some time to grow and develop.
4. Keilan Knight, 6-1, 220, RJR (walk on): 1 tackle.Special teams player.
Graduating: Everyone. Tre Crawford, Craig Kanyangarara
Anticipated 2019 position status: DOWNGRADE. Tre Crawford had a tremendous year, out of seemingly nowhere. There are no LBs on the roster with his combination of height, speed & bulk.
Notes: Rayam, in short stints this year, including the bowl game, looked disruptive and ready to be an impact player. Really like his speed and aggressiveness in getting to the ball. Looking forward to seeing him play full time. Future All-Conference LB.
LINEBACKER (Grade = B)
1. Thomas Johnston, 6-2, 230, JR (2017, 3star+, 0.8838). 17 tackles (6 in bowl game). Our highest rated HS recruit ever (who actually played), but had only 11 tackles in the 18 regular season. His best game and most playing time by far was the bowl game, so it makes one wonder if he was battling injury. Hopefully he blossoms into an A grade player next year.
2. Jordan Jones, 6-1, 225, RJR: AL A&M transfer who had a good game against us in 17.
3. Keilan Knight, 6-1, 220, RJR (walk on): Primarily plays special teams.
Graduating: Chris Woolbright.
Anticipated 2019 position status: DOWNGRADE. Woolbright had a tremendous year as a playmaking LB. If Johnston plays to potential, it’s only a modest downgrade.
Notes: Could be a solid position in 19, depending on how Johnston develops over the off-season, but not much depth. Conner may have to play here also.
WILL LINEBACKER (Grade = B+)
1. Fitzgerald Mofor, 6-0, 235, RSR (2016 transfer, NR, maybe originally a walk-on): 75 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks. Stud. Great story. Mofor, Johnston & Marino will be keys to early season defensive success as they will be surrounded by inexperienced starters up front.
2. Will Connor, 6-2, 220, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8402). Huge signee for UAB. Class bell cow because he committed early and was local and vocal. Expect him to be ready to play in 19. Should see the rotation early season, because we are thin at LB. Could move to an outside position in 19 if his speed is adequate.
3. Luke Brasher, 6-0, 225, RJR (walk on). 6 tackles. Has struggled some with speed and angles. Had a really tough game against Coastal Carolina and didn’t play a lot after that - but ended the year with a very impressive bowl game. Looks like a guy who has improved enough to make some noise in 19.
4. Larry Smith, 5-11, 205, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8142). Likely to RS.
5. Rubin Stinson III, 6-1, 215, RJR (walk-on)
Graduating: No one.
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE. Another season of experience behind Mofor. He improved this year and should again his SR year.
Notes: Will be our strongest LB position if Mofor stays healthy. Will probably play one of the stronger freshmen LB signees, probably Conner, behind him. May see Rayam rotate here also. Most of the physically ready incoming LB signees will haveto play in 19, as the current roster is thin at LB.
CORNERBACK (Grade = A-)
1. Brontae Harris, 5-10, 180, RJR (2016 transfer walk-on, upgraded to scholarship). 34 tackles, 2 INT, 11 PBU. Stud cover corner. Great story. You have to love this guy.
2. C.D. Daniels, 6-2, 180, SO (2018 3-star, 0.8606):2 tackles. Highest rated 18 recruit. Played in 9 games as a true FR. Should blossom this year. Great height for a corner.
3. Chase Biles, 5-10, 185 (walk on): Special teams. Blocked a punt in 2018.
Graduating: No one.
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE. Another season of experience for Harris and Daniels has the tools and length to grow into a future star at CB.
Notes: Position will be one of the strongest on the team if Harris stays healthy.
FREE SAFETY (Grade = C+)
1. Will Boler, 6-0, 205, RSO (2017 2-star, 0.7580).5 tackles, 1 PBU.Played sparingly in 19.
2. Rashard Revels, 6-0, 200, FR (2019 3-star, 0.8315). Another huge recruit who committed early like Conner - perhaps our most talented 2019 signee. Multiple teams from multiple power 5 conferences wanted him. Solid body. Could he be ready to own a safety position as a true FR? He is the freshman most likely to start the first game.
3. Kobe Griffin, 6-0, 200, RSO (2017 2-star, 0.7631): Little playing time thus far.
4. Jaylen Key, 6-2, 195, RFR (2018 3-star, 0.8093). Tall. Fast. Talented. From FL.
Graduating: Broderick Thomas.
Anticipated 2019 position status:DOWNGRADE.Thomas will be impossible to match or upgrade with the existing talent & experience levels on our roster. This position will be a strength in 20, once our talented young guys gain experience.
Notes: Early season will be a challenge for the free safeties. Curious to see how aggressive Key plays, as he has the best frame. Some of the 19 recruits may push for time in the rotation.
STRONG SAFETY (Grade = B)
1. Will Dawkins, 5-10, 200, RSR (2015 3-star transfer, 0.8625): 14 tackles. Talented Indiana transfer who was in the rotation the last 2 years. Solid and experienced, but not spectacular, yet. UAB needs him to be spectacular, particularly in early 19.
2. Grayson Cash, 6-0, 185, RSO (2017 2-star, 0.7682): 4 tackles, 1 INT. Flashed some skills in limited playing time in 19. Nice interception against UTSA. Need him to grow into this role very quickly.
3. Damien Miller, 6-1, 180, FR (2019 3-star, 0,8255). Very talented. Great kick returner. This is the guy that might allow the staff to move Pollock to offense.
4. Werlean Pollock, 6-3, 200, RFR (June 18 enrollee, 2-star): Tall. Fast. Former HS RB. Several AAC and ACC teams offered him. Had one carry at RB in the bowl game, maybe hinting a future at that position if we don’t sign a major RB in this class - or better yet to WR to give us some height at that position if we don’t sign the targeted WRs. But it’s likely they most prefer him at safety due to his length. Built like Diggs.
Graduating: Marsean Diggs
Anticipated 2019 position status:MODEST DOWNGRADE.Diggs had a very strong year and agile 6-3 5th-year safeties are very hard to replace. But Dawkins & Cash have been in the program for multiple years. UAB should be OK here once Cash gets a few games of experience in the rotation, but it’s not anticipated this position will be as steady as it was in 18.
Notes: Miller is the wildcard.
CORNERBACK (Grade = B)
1. Starling Thomas V, 5-11, 180, SO (2018 3-star, 0.8305):10 tackles, 3 PBU.Huge 18 recruit for UAB. Looked very impressive as the only true freshman in the regular rotation this year. Looks like he could be a star, and that’s not a pun. Early season will be a learning curve as a starter. He will eventually be all conference.
2. David Acfalle, 6-0, 185, R-SO (2017 2-star, 0.7681): Stood out in 18 camp but was injured in preseason and never played. Fast. Aggressive hitter. Hope he comes back healthy. Could also play safety.
3. Keondre Swoopes, 6-0, 175, FR (2019 3-star, 0.7993). Fast. Under-rated. Could also play WR if necessary. Needs to gain some weight. Likely RS.
4. AJ Brooks, 6-0, 190, RSR (2016 2-star, 0.7800): special teams
5. Orlando Swan, 5-10, 180, RSR (2018 transfer from Auburn, walk on)
Graduating: D.A. Willams, Duke Culver
Anticipated 2019 position status:LEVEL. Thomas is very talented and gained significant experience in the second half of the season. He is ready to start. That was clear against UNT.
Notes: Should be solid at both corners. That will give some cover to the flock of new safeties.
STAR (Grade = A-)
1. Kris Moll, 6-1, 200, SO (2017 2-star, 0.7580): 54 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF. Along with Spencer Brown one of UAB’s lowest rated signees in 17. UAB got the last laugh, again! Fast. Very quick. Very aggressive. Good instincts. Love his play. Wish he were bigger and could take over a LB position. Regardless, he is a guy that needs to remain closer to the line of scrimmage because he is a disrupter.
2. Dy’Jonn Turner, 5-11, 200, SO (2017 2-star, 0.7681). 16 tackles. 1 INT.Solid but not yet a playmaker like Moll. Staff obviously likes him, although he had a relatively quiet year as a starter.
3. Clay Templeton, 6-0, 185, RSR (2015 transfer from JaxSt). 6 tackles, 1 sack (only 4 games). Might be a medical waiver, as he only played in 4 games this year due to injury. If so, that’s a huge boost for the early season because he played remarkably well in the first four games of 18. Could also move over to play safety. If he comes back our secondary is much more solid in the early season.
4. Alondras Strong, 5-11, 180, RFR (2018 3-star, 0.8222). UAB quietly brought this 3-star signee in late. Talented IMG guy originally from Hazel Green. Safety/corner so could be a good fit at star if he gains a few pounds.
Graduating: No one.
Anticipated 2019 position status:UPGRADE. Both have a year of experience now.
Notes: Moll was a high impact player in 18, and if he improves further has potential to achieve all conference status in 19. If he gains enough weight in the off-season, Moll may shift to one of the other LB positions. Alternatively, depending on how ready some of the younger safeties are, Moll could own STAR and Turner could shift to safety to spread game experience among the secondary.
(This post was last modified: 12-19-2018 07:27 PM by Ranger1386c.)
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2019 Roster First Look: Defense
