UAB’S Tariq Watson Standing Out In Crowded CB ROTATION
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 19, 2025
Tariq Watson could have been swallowed up in the cornerback competition at UAB. The possibility was there. In some ways, it would have been understandable.
The UAB coaching staff brought in a ton of experienced cornerback talent through the transfer portal. Perry Fisher had starting experience at Maryland. Tamarion Crumpley spent four seasons at Pitt. Delvon Gulley and Isaiah Crozier were established talents at the FCS level before moving up a level to UAB. All of them brought a certain level of expectation with them.
Then, you mix in fellow returnees Jaylyn Ferguson and Donald Lee, who have both taken steps forward since last season, and the progression of walk-on Roy Williams and it’s hard to get noticed. Watson is not only getting noticed but he’s in the mix to be one of the cornerback starters when the season kicks off on Aug. 28 against Alabama State at Protective Stadium.
“Tariq's having a great camp,” said cornerback coach Ryan Lewis. “He's embraced the challenges of the new guys coming in. He’s never wavered. He’s stayed the course. What he did was he used the competition to breed excellence. With all the competition he's been getting better every day. Competition is everything. If you don't have competition, guys are not getting better.”
Watson showed up at UAB last season ready to work into the mix for the starting job at cornerback. The New Orleans native was coming off two seasons in the Big Ten at Minnesota. He played just one game as a true freshman and had 10 tackles in 13 games the next season.
“In Minnesota, I was basically a little boy turning to a man,” Watson said. “I was learning, but I still didn't get it yet, versus now I grew so much. I know how to go to people now. I understand communication. I understand how to express yourself the right way. I understand how to control what you can control.”
Watson said it was a comfortable transition to UAB.
“It was easy,” Watson said. “I was wanted. It was a brotherhood. You know, most people, when transfers come in, it's like, ‘Oh, there's a guy coming in, trying to take my spot.’ Some of the transfers come off as bad energy, cocky, and stuff like that. I didn't come off that way. I just came into work, just like everybody should and so it was always good. There were always good vibes and stuff.”
Watson played in 11 games in his first season at UAB and was credited with four tackles and two pass breakups. He concluded spring practice by intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble in the Spring Showcase. He continued that work through the summer and has been excellent in fall camp. All of it stems from embracing the competition, which isn’t hard to do for a cornerback.
“At cornerback, you have to have the mentality of just dominating your side,” Watson said. “You have to be competitive. I feel like that's one of the only positions like you can't get away with being off (mentally). You gotta have a short-term memory. I feel like cornerback is the toughest position. You always have to come in with your ‘A’ game, no matter what. That's what I appreciate.”