Early opponent preview: UAB

After playing its first conference game on the road in early October, Memphis will play its first home conference game on Oct. 10 against UAB. The Blazers beat the Tigers last year in Birmingham, and Charles Huff’s team will have an opportunity to reclaim the Bones in the Bluff City.

UAB fired head coach Trent Dilfer shortly before the game against Memphis and promoted offensive coordinator Alex Mortenson to interim head coach. Following the season, the Blazers promoted Mortenson to the permanent position after the young coach finished the season 2-4. 

Mortenson only returns a few starters from last season’s team, but they will be relying on multiple transfers and young players to step up this season.

Ryder Burton enters the season as the Blazers’ starting quarterback. Burton spent time at BYU and West Virginia before landing at UAB ahead of the 2025 season, and he made his first career start against the Tigers.

In that game, he went 20-for-27 for 251 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.  He finished the season with 708 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions, and it will be interesting to see what improvements he makes going into his first season as a starter.

UAB lost its top three receivers from last season, and it brought in multiple players at that position from the transfer portal, including CJ Smith from Memphis. This is Smith’s fourth school during his career, and he’ll look for a bigger opportunity with the Blazers after seeing little playing time with the Tigers.

Mortenson also added Wake Forest transfer EJ Reid and Oklahoma transfer KJ Daniels, and he’ll look for returnee Kaleb Brown to play a larger role. Brown transferred to UAB after stints at Ohio State and Iowa, and he recorded 255 yards and two touchdowns on 17 receptions last year.

At the running back position, Georgia transfer Rob Robinson II will be the likely starter. Robinson spent three seasons with the Bulldogs, but he only recorded 221 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries over the three years.

On the offensive line, UAB brings back a pair of starters in center Adam Lepkowski and right guard Caleb Perez. The Blazers will have a lot of experience on the line, and that unit could be a strength for the offense.

The coaching staff brought in 41 players from the transfer portal this offseason, and a bulk of them will have an opportunity to start on the defensive side of the ball. Athlon Sports predicts 10 newcomers will start on UAB’s defense this season, with cornerback Delvon Gulley being the only projected starter as a returnee. 

The Blazers brought in four seniors on the defensive line, including Morgan State transfer Blanche Gold. The defensive linemen spent 2025 with the Bears and recorded 45 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

Linebacker Ike Esonwune will likely be a starter for UAB after spending two seasons at Oklahoma State. The linebacker followed defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who is in his first season with the Blazers.

In the secondary, UAB will feature some inexperienced players, and it will be interesting to see how the group looks. Last season, the Blazers’ secondary allowed 232.3 passing yards per game.

UAB will play Illinois to start the season, and it will start conference play in late September with a home game against Navy.