UAB’s Burton Has Had Many Role Models In Preparation For Starting QB Role
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 19, 2025
Ryder Burton’s college football game day lessons have largely been learned from the sidelines.
As a 17-year-old freshman at BYU in 2023, he watched the well-traveled quarterback Kedon Slovis finish his college eligibility. Last season at West Virginia, he received leadership lessons from Garrett Greene as the fifth-year senior closed out his college career. This season, through six games, Burton watched Jalen Kitna throw for nearly 300 yards per game.
All of that, Burton said, makes him “the luckiest quarterback in the world.”
He then explained why he feels that way.
“I go to BYU, I sit behind game Kedon Slovis,” said Burton, the oldest of five siblings, who played high school football in Springville, Utah. “A guy who started 35 Power 4 games, a guy who played a ton of football. He was the first one to kind of teach me, hey, this is how a quarterback acts. This is what quarterback does, this is where we read and this is where I start. Then I go to West Virginia, and I sit behind Garrett Greene, just a competitor and a half, man. Showed me what it looks like to go out there and let loose, rip it. I call him the big brother I've never had and I couldn't be more grateful for him.”
He continued with Kitna, who took 400 snaps in the first six games before being forced to the sidelines on Saturday after suffering an upper body injury in a loss at FAU.
“I also want to give huge shout out to Jalen,” Burton said. “All year we've made little jokes. It comes from Coach Dilfer and (Matt) Hasselbeck when they were sharing time in Seattle. They used to quiz each other and they approached the locker room together, so there was no difference between them. Me and Jalen have done that all year. Jalen could have been upset. I would be, if I'm not playing in the biggest American (Conference) game that we've played in this year and he was nothing but a pro. If anybody is coming to get Jalen Kitna in the NFL, in the character check, he fits every single box, he's an awesome guy. Quizzed me all week, gave me advice on the sideline, he's the best. I've nothing but good things to say about Jalen Kitna this week and how amazing he's been this evening.”
On Saturday, Burton finally got a chance to introduce himself to the college football world. And what a debut it was in the 31-24 Battle for the Bones win over previously unbeaten and 22nd ranked Memphis at Protective Stadium. Burton finished 20-of-27 for 251 yards with three touchdown passes to Iverson Hooks. He gained 17 yards on four carries and was credited with a six-yard loss on the lone Memphis sack of the game.
It was a satisfying win for an emotional week that include the firing of Trent Dilfer, the elevation of Alex Mortensen to interim head coach and the behind the scenes question of whether or not Kitna could play.
Burton said he had a “pretty good idea” on Wednesday that he would be the starter but didn’t get final confirmation until Friday night.
“I would just say I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Burton said. “When he finally said ‘Ryder, you’re starting,’ it was a sigh of relief. I’m so grateful to play this game. And I’m so grateful for the opportunity that Coach Mort gave me to come here.”
It doesn’t take long when talking with Burton to understand that confidence is not an issue. But, Mortensen still eased the first time starter into the game during an impressive scoring drive to open the game. Mortensen called seven running plays on the 10-yard drive. Burton’s first pass traveled less than a yard and his second throw was in the flat to Hooks. He did fit the 15-yard scoring toss to Hooks in between a pair of Memphis defenders.
“I think with Coach Mort's plan, it was easy to see some of those first little completions,” Burton said. “I didn't necessarily make all the big throws on the first drive. I think I just settled in well and then it just opened up a little bit for me.”
Burton was 12-of-15 on passes thrown within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and 8-of-12 on passes thrown over 10 yards. Perhaps his best throw of the night came in the waning seconds of the first half when he delivered a perfect strike to Hooks in the back corner of the end zone. The ball traveled over Memphis safety Chris Bracy, a UAB transfer, and Hooks was able to make the catch and stay inbounds.
One of his most important throws came in the shadows of the UAB end zone midway through the fourth quarter. The Blazes faced a 3rd-and-8 from the 3-yard line, clinging to a 24-17 lead, when he found Hooks open on a short slant pattern. Hooks made the catch and turned it into a 31-yard gain before stepping out of bounds. Eight plays later, UAB concluded a 99-yard drive with a 20-yard scoring touchdown pass to a wide open Hooks. The score gave UAB a 31-17 lead with 4:06 left.
Obviously, his most reliable option was Hooks, who now has a career-high 41 receptions for 560 yards with five touchdowns.
“That's my dawg, man,” Burton said. “I wouldn't have it any other way. Just a guy that's as competitive as they come. Confident as all get out, and I don't think you can ask for much more as a receiver.”
Time will tell what the rest of the season looks like at the quarterback position for the Blazers. With an open week, the Blazers have two weeks before they play at UConn at Nov. 1. Kitna, who entered this weekend 8th in the country in passing yards per game, will have an opportunity to heal from the injury. The Blazers now have two proven quarterbacks heading into the final five games of the regular season.