Position by Position: What to Watch as UAB Opens Alex Mortensen’s First Fall Camp
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 2, 2026
Monday marks another first for UAB football head coach Alex Mortensen. The Blazers kick off Mortensen’s first fall camp as the Blazers head coach on Monday morning. About four weeks later, UAB kicks off the season with a trip to play an Illinois team that was 19-7 under Bret Bielema over the past two seasons.
For now, the trip to Illinois remains in the background, at least until Mortensen and his staff figure out some things about their team during fall camp. Following is a position-by-position look at what to expect during the four weeks of preseason practice.
Quarterback
Crucial fall camp question: How good is the quarterback room as a whole?
What to expect: All eyes are on the progression Ryder Burton at this point. That’s generally the case when a quarterback is the projected Day 1 starter for the first time in college football. Perhaps the most important part of fall camp at quarterback, however, centers around the amount of quality depth. There is confidence that Burton will perform well as the starter but injuries or illness happen. AJ Erdely started all 13 games in 2017, marking the most recent UAB quarterback to start every game in a season. Before that, the most recent UAB quarterback to do that was Joe Webb, who started every game in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. So history tells us, chances are good the Blazers will need a reserve quarterback to make a significant at some point – or points – this season. Nate Rogers and Adrian Posse each had a solid spring practice while competing for the backup spot. That competition continues in fall camp.
Running back
Crucial fall camp question: Just how good is Roderick Robinson III?
What to expect: Not many – if any – American Conference teams have a running back with the size and speed combination of Robinson, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds. He certainly looks the part when he steps off the bus. Injuries played a crucial part in the San Diego high school standout not producing up to his potential at the University of Georgia. Now he gets a second chance to show what he can do as a college football player. He was impressive in the spring and there is nothing to suggest that won’t carry over to fall camp and the season. He also has plenty of experienced and proven company in the backfield with proven transfers Bam McReynolds (South Alabama, ULM) and Ja’Vin Simpkins (Coastal Carolina) and a healthy Marquise Collins.
Offensive line
Crucial fall camp question: Is the depth up front as deep as it looks like on paper?
What to expect: Adam Lepkowski is one of the best centers in the American Conference. That’s a good place to start for UAB offensive line coaches Matt McCants and Gordon Steele. But it is just a start on what has the potential to be a deep rotation as long as they are blessed with good health. It will be interesting to watch the depth chart as they go through fall camp. A young player to watch is redshirt freshman Donovan Lawrence. The 6-foot-5, 350-pound guard, who was injured as a true freshman, grabbed the attention of coaches and teammates for his play in the spring. UAB also picked up a late portal addition in 6-foot-4, 380-pound guard Amos Talalele (Kansas State, USC).
Wide receiver
Crucial fall camp question: Is Kaleb Brown ready physically to be the first option in the passing game?
What to expect: The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Brown, who played at Ohio State and Iowa before transferring to UAB, has the ability to be the team’s top receiver. He suffered a lower body injury in each of his two spring practices at UAB. Last year, he returned to work during fall camp ahead of schedule and had 17 catches for 255 yards with two touchdowns in nine games during the season. We will see how he responds during fall camp this season. He is also part of what should be an interesting competition for spots in the rotation at a potentially loaded position.
Tight end
Crucial fall camp question: Can the tight ends be as productive as they were in the spring?
What to expect: UAB tight end coach Reilly Jeffers said during the spring that the Blazers had five tight ends capable of finding a spot in the rotation. We will see during fall camp how that rotation works out but expect redshirt junior Antonio Ferguson to be the leader of the bunch.
DEFENSE
Interior front
Crucial fall camp question: How close to 100 percent is Nigel Tate?
What to expect: The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Tate was expected to be the defensive line anchor last season. But that plan changed early in fall camp when the transfer from Boston College suffered an Achilles injury. He has steadily improved and is expected to be back on the field in fall camp. Put in the middle with 6-foot-1, 325-pound Cam Cunningham and that’s not an easy assignment for opposing offensive linemen. And they are just the start of a strong group inside.
Edge
Crucial fall camp question: Where does Tylin Jackson fit into this group?
What to expect: First things first. Marlin Dean and Blanche Gold led a group of edge defenders that showed they can be a strength of this defense during the spring. Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound Eastern Washington transfer, didn’t practice in the spring so he could work on being fully healthy. He’s ready to go now and UAB coaches expect big things from the veteran defender.
Linebacker
Crucial fall camp question: Do they have sufficient numbers at inside linebacker?
What to expect: Ike Esonwune and Muaaz Byard drew the first team assignment early in spring practice and latched onto that role. Expect big things from both. Building depth is important over the next four weeks. Braden Sullivan started 25 games over the past two seasons at Eastern Kentucky and collected 170 tackles. Colby Archie played inside and on the edge in the spring and there are some promising young linebackers.
Cornerback
Crucial fall camp question: Will Delvon Gulley win a spot with the first team?
What to expect: Gulley, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior, started more games last season than any other returning UAB defensive player. Gulley played in 11 games overall and started in six. He worked with the first team at cornerback for much of spring practice, generally opposite from Marshall transfer Darrell Sweeting. Gulley heads into fall camp trying to win that spot at a position filled with competition.
Safeties and nickels
Crucial fall camp question: How fluid will the depth chart at these positions be during fall camp?
What to expect: The probable answer here is the depth chart will be very fluid. Jotavian Pierce had a head start in Todd Grantham’s defensive system after learning it last year at Oklahoma State. He was very good in the spring. But this is a evenly talented group for the most part.
Special teams
Crucial fall camp question: Will Jonah Delange look like a contender for the Lou Groza Award in his third season as the Blazers placekicker?
What to expect: He came close to winning the award in his sophomore season so there is no reason to believe he won’t do the same thing again. Obviously it comes down to opportunities but there is no doubt he will be one of the American Conference’s most reliable kickers.