UAB Preseason Look: Offensive Line
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 10, 2025
UAB Preseason Look: Offensive Line
Five offensive linemen will be in the UAB starting lineup when the Blazers kick off the season on Aug. 28 against Alabama State at Protective Stadium. This much is known.
JonDarius Morgan and Calib Perez are almost certain to be part of that starting group. This much is expected.
The pieces are there for a rotation that stretches to at least eight linemen. This much is hoped for.
For UAB offensive line coach Matt McCants, though, worrying about what might happen is not in the immediate plans. He is “encouraged” where his group is at this point but with the second week of fall practice quickly winding down, the focus is on building.
“Obviously, it’s an everchanging picture, man,” said McCants the former UAB standout offensive tackle, who is beginning his second season in charge of the offensive. “Everything is just an idea until August 28. I've been trying to just take it day by day and make sure that we don't miss any single thing. Nobody gets overlooked, nobody gets predetermined with expectations. A guy might surprise you. I was a surprise (as a player at UAB). It was ‘You’re going to come in and be a redshirt guy.’ And I started my freshman year. So, I never write anybody off day by day. Once August 28 rolls around, we’ll know and it will all be settled by that point.”
UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said several times in fall camp that there is not a starting offensive line at this point. He also said the offensive lines will be shuffled throughout fall camp as part of the process. Thus far, though, the group getting the most first down snaps consist of Baron Franks II at center, Barry Walker at right guard, Morgan at right tackle, Perez at left guard and Logan Moore at left tackle. But moving parts of still expected. Transfer portal additions Brandon Sneh, Rod Orr Jr. and Daniel Mincey and junior college transfer Nelson Ramirez have shown they fit the mold of productive players. Redshirt freshman Jaden Ligon missed the opportunity to play last season because of an injury but has played well in camp. Adam Lepkowski, who is fighting for the starting spot at center with Franks, missed last season with injury but played in several games at guard in 2023. There are also some returning developmental players looking to get into the mix.
Versatility is the best way to get in the rotation.
“You see (Daniel) Mincey out here working center right now,” Perez said after practice while pointing out that Mincey, a transfer from Kentucky, was getting some extra post practice work at an unfamiliar position. “You know, he's played guard and tackle at his previous school. But he's working center right now with some of the quarterbacks and receivers. It's just a prime example of trying to get your way on the field and just being able to rotate. You know, fresh bodies are always good, too.”
No matter how it shakes out, a good place to start on the line is with Morgan and Perez.
Morgan, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound Birmingham native, played in high school at Huffman High and participated in eight games over three seasons at South Carolina. He started all 12 games for the Blazers last season. It’s hard to imagine him not being in the starting lineup – either at guard or tackle – again this season but that’s not his focus right now.
“I think it doesn't really matter right now because everybody's trying to get evaluated,” Morgan said. “By the time we get close to the game time, we'll probably see more of what it looks like.”
Perez, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound redshirt junior, is another lineman available to play either guard or tackle. He played both at Duke and was willing to play either at UAB. A year ago, though, a previous knee injury threatened to possibly end his playing career. But he was able to work his way back on the field and played in four games. He entered fall camp this season fully healthy and ready to play a key role.
“I feel pretty much 100%,” Perez said. “I wasn't even supposed to play again. Being able to come back and actually play football again and do it at a high level and give myself a chance at the next level is just a blessing in itself. It was frustrating not being able to help for the most part last year. But I was able to contribute some and was able to help others as well. Being healthy for me really changes my mindset but (last season) also taught me lessons schematically while not on the field.”