UAB Defensive Tackle Nigel Tate Will Miss The Rest Of The 2025 Campaign With An Achilles Tendon Injury

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - September 8, 2025

UAB defensive tackle Nigel Tate is out for the season after injuring his Achilles tendon during preseason practice. UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said Tate had surgery could possibly be back by the spring.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Baltimore native was added from Boston College through the transfer portal to be one of the anchors of the defensive front. He showed in spring practice that he was ready to play a big role and was expected to start alongside fellow transfer portal addition Denver Warren.

“It’s obviously been a disappointing thing that happened,” Dilfer said. “He was the best defensive player at a very important position but next man up.”

Dilfer was asked what they lose without Tate being available.

“Just his ability (to defend) two gaps,” Dilfer said. “That’s a big deal. He's explosive, he’s big, he’s experienced. He's played at a high level. And in this structure, he's able to play a gap and a half, two gaps at that position.”

Tate is listed as a redshirt senior but Dilfer said he will retain another year of eligibility. Tate played in 12 games over four seasons at Maryland. Without him in the lineup, UAB has turned to Eamon Smalls and Jonathan Allen to share most of the snaps and Kyle Mosley has also played in the first two games. Smalls is currently third on the team in tackles with 10, Allen had three tackles and a shared tackle for loss and Mosley has a tackle.

“I think those guys who have come in and played in his absence are getting better and both have a chance to be really good players,” Dilfer said.