By Steve Irvine
November 13, 2026 - BIRMINGHAM, AL
The easy way to describe what was supposed to be Payton Kirkland’s first season as a college football starter was that setbacks turned it into a negative experience.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Chicago native entered the season as UAB’s starter at left tackle. Less than two quarters into the season, Kirkland was helped off Gies Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois campus in the second quarter of UAB’s loss to the Illini. After receiving treatment in the sideline injury tent, Kirkland left the field on the back of a cart. He missed the next three games after the ankle subluxation. He returned to practice fairly quickly but wasn’t able to play again until the fifth week of the season. Kirkland played on 64 snaps during a win over Samford and loss at Memphis before facing another setback. He suffered a deep tissue injury at Memphis and only played one snap over the next three games.
Put all that together and it would seemingly be easy for Kirkland view the season in a negative light, particularly after finally earning his way on the field after a college journey that included stops at Texas and Colorado and just two game time appearances over three seasons. But Kirkland said he chose to look at it as more of a chance to grow as a person instead of turning to negativity.
“Tremendously, man,” Kirkland said when ask about his growth during this season. “You know, it's easy to get down and backtrack, you could say. I spent a lot of this offseason honing my skills, especially on the left side and then trying to become a leader in my room, bringing the other guys up around me up. It did hurt my feelings a little bit and wasn’t easy. It's all about being a soldier and being able to get back to it and keep your mind moving forward rather than staying stagnant. I feel like just my faith in God was more than enough to be able to put, pull me through this season and get back.”
He said this on Wednesday afternoon, just a few minutes after finishing a full pad practice with his teammates. During the media viewing period, Kirkland was working with the first group at right tackle, alongside guard Calib Perez. Kirkland moved to that side of the ball with Keyon Cox playing well at left tackle. Time will tell if Kirkland is in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon as the Blazers have the chance to reach bowl eligibility in an American Conference game against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Barrett Maddox has been the starter in right tackle in each of the team’s nine games. No matter who is on the field first, Kirkland could strengthen a spot that has faced struggles this season.
Maddox has an overall grade of 29.5, according to Pro Football Focus, with marks of 30.8 on run blocking and 40.8 on pass blocking. He was credited with eight sacks allowed, four quarterback hits and 15 quarterback hurries, according to PFF. Now, those aren’t official numbers but they do indicate that the right tackle positioned needs to be strengthened, particularly with Kyrik Mason being credited by PFF with three sacks allowed, two quarterback hits and three quarterback hurries.
For the first time in a while, Kirkland should be helping out on the field, even if he doesn’t get the starting nod, as the Blazers try to reach bowl eligibility.
“You know, it's definitely heartbreaking, anger and all of the above when it comes down to being sideline when you know you could be of assistance,” Kirkland said. “I know the staff and everybody just wanted the best for me in that time period, so it wasn't too much thinking or resentment towards (being injured). It was more of a ‘When I get back, I want to try to make up for that lost time rather than think about what has happened over that time.’ I'm proud of my guys and I'm proud of the performances that we have put out because we have grown a lot as a unit and a lot of the guys are coming along. We’ve become better as the season's went on. I have a lot of trust in those guys.”