UAB's Fall Camp Snapshot Features Wide Receivers Coach And Pass Game Coordinator Kevin Garver

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 25, 2025

UAB football snapshot

The go-to receiver could change weekly for UAB this season. The Blazers have talent and depth at the position but nobody stepped forward during offseason and preseason work to grab the top spot at that position.

Is that problem?

Not if you ask UAB wide receiver coach Kevin Garver. He is pleased with the play of a group that will include a lot of contributors. It will be interesting to see which receiver finishes the season with the most production. Garver stopped after practice this week to talk about his group.

On not having an Alpha receiver: “I think that this is a really good group, really top-to-bottom to be honest with you. I've seen a lot of growth, really from all of them, which is very impressive. Really a lot of guys took a lot of steps from spring until this point. You know, there's been a lot of great competition going on. Obviously, as we get closer to the season, a week out, things are starting to kind of form as far as the guys that are looking like they're gonna be able to play (and) contribute for us. We're definitely getting closer to that. I think there's guys that have definitely been consistent throughout camp, whether that's catching the ball, whether that's creating explosive plays, whether that's blocking on the perimeter. I think there's definitely been a lot of those guys that have been committed to doing that. I think it's probably going to be a little bit more by committee to be honest with you and that's really what these guys prefer because it's they care about each other. We've got a great group. They are for each other, they have each other's back. I'm sure we're gonna find ways to get different guys on the field, find ways to get the ball in their hands, based off of what they do and based on what their skill set is. Really that's kind of how we see it overall. I think that we're gonna have a good group of six to eight guys and see how it sorts out come game day. Obviously, a lot of these guys don't have a ton of playing experience. You know Strap (Iverson Hooks) has had some injuries in his past. Obviously, he played last year. Corri has had some game experience but I don't really have any guys that have been starters here. Looking forward to these guys having that opportunity and really proving to themselves what they're capable of doing.”

On finding rotations: “I think that these guys understand kind of where they fit and what they do well. I think it's about just having the right mindset. Obviously, we're a team and we got to understand that in the situation when the ball does come our way, we got to make the play. That's what I've been trying to emphasize with these guys. Obviously, every receiver wants the ball. They want 10 catches and 100 yards a game, but that's not a reality. At the end of the day, we're looking to do whatever we can to help the team win.  I think guys understand that, I really do. And again, a lot of competing between all those guys and it will sort itself out.”

On Corri Milliner: “Yeah, I think that he's become a more efficient route runner. I think he's got a lot of intangibles that you like. But I think that he really grew, I think he just grew from the top of his routes, understanding how to get out of them cleaner, body language, not tipping defenders off as far as them reading his body language. I think that he's really, really improved in that area.”

On different skillsets and size among the receivers: “I think there definitely is (enough difference). Of course, there's gonna be some (guys) where there's some similarities. And our slots, if you go back and look, I think that there's even some variation in that this year, to be honest with you. I think, obviously, adding a couple of bigger guys to the mix too. I think it was definitely a good change up. But really, when you look at them, you look at KB (Kaleb Brown) compared to AJ (Johnson) to (Xavier) Daisy to Strap. I mean there's some different body types in there. Like I said I think they all kind of have a unique skill set that they bring to the table for us.”

On Kaleb Brown: “Yeah so what I've seen from KB is I really think that he makes on a play on the ball extremely well. What I mean by that is there's those situations when it's that bang-bang or hey I got a defender right on my hip and I gotta go make this play. He's got strong hands, he's got sure hands. He's okay with that defender on his back or trying to make a play through him. I think he's been really consistent in those situations. Or maybe there's some type of out cut and it's a low ball like he's able to go and consistently make those plays regardless of where the ball is placed. I've been very impressed with that. I think that with his skill set, what he brings, I think that he can be a strong runner. I think he can be a guy that can do some run after catch stuff. I think those are things I thought he can do.”

On Evan McCray and the importance of intermediate routes: “It's very important. I think Evan has done a great job since he's been here. He's been working extremely hard to learn the offense and be consistent every day. I think he brings a toughness and a mentality every day. He's not the loudest guy on the field. We have some louder guys in the room for sure. But I think that he definitely brings consistency (and) even temperament that I think is good. He's really kind of a perfectionist in a lot of ways. He wants to do things right. I think that's been really good to have. Obviously, this is his last year, last opportunity, so it means a lot to him. I think he definitely brings that to the room. Some type of leadership in the way that he works and approaches the game.

But as far as intermediate stuff in the passing game, I think obviously it's vital.  Spacing is extremely important in the passing game, whether that's horizontal or vertical spacing. It all matters and I think that we're gonna find different ways to attack the ball down the field and intermediate and side to side. We gotta be able to do all that. So I think it's definitely important within an offense.”

On Iverson Hooks: “I think, obviously, coming here when I did last year, it was kind of late August and stuff. I felt like he was one of the first guys I kind of got a chance to really know. I didn't know all the stuff in the past. I think last year, he was working hard and trying to get back but he wasn't quite what I heard of who Strap was. So, yeah, I think he definitely is extremely hungry. Going through all the things that he's gone through as a player, I think a lot of guys would have quit to be honest with you. I think it's a testament to him and that it matters to him, his why and why he’s playing the game. He's definitely hungry.”

On the X receiver position: “That is a great question because when you look at guys that have played X for us, Strap’s been back there before, obviously, Corri’s done it. But also had AJ and Daisy and Lamar (White). We've had probably six, seven people back there running the position and they're all different. I think it's really probably, for us, more of like calling the right plays with who's in the game. We don't necessarily care as much of it has to be this kind of guy. In my experience in football too, I've had the same thing. Like where I've had little guys that have been able to do it. I had John Brown at the Cardinals. He wasn't very big, but he knew how to get open. He could create some separation. And then I've had bigger guys that have done it that maybe haven't been as fast, right? Mike Evans is not the fastest guy, but like he's long, he's tall, he's physical, has ability to run, but those are two different guys. So I think it's really more so for us on the offense, trying to put those guys in the best situation based off what we’re calling schematically.”