2008 UAB Blazers - Recruiting Class

UAB Blazers 2008 Head Coach: Neil Callaway

UAB Blazers

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

Kattrell Watters LB 6-0 235 Fr. Thomasville, Ala./Thomasville
Was an early commitment to UAB in August of 2007…was selected by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a finalist in 2007 for Mr. Football in Alabama Class 4A lineman category…tabbed first-team all-state by the ASWA in 2006 and 2007 in the 4A division…named as a second team selection to the Southwest Alabama All-Region Football team by the Mobile Press Register…recorded 105 tackles, two and a half sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception in 2007…his team had a record of 11-3 overall and went 10-2 in their division in 2007…helped his team to a runner-up finish in the 2006 state championships and to the semifinals in 2007…was a part of a defense that only allowed 16.2 ppg in 2007… recorded 150 tackles in 15 games played as a junior in 2006.

Potential Instant Impact Players

Kyle Roget LB 6-1 235 Jr. Arlington, Texas/Tyler JC
Was an early signee for the Blazers and enrolled at UAB in January … played two seasons at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas … is listed as a three-star recruit by Scout.com … started all nine games at linebacker for Tyler his sophomore season … was a Southwest Junior College Football Conference honorable mention at linebacker … led the Apaches with 93 tackles … ranked 27th among the junior college ranks in total tackles and 15th in assisted tackles … averaged nine tackles per game … recorded three sacks … played fullback his freshmen season where he was named to All-SWJCFC first-team

Ryan Roget OG 6-3 285 Jr. Arlington, Texas/Tyler JC
Was a two-year starter at left guard at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas … was an early signee for the Blazers and enrolled at UAB in January … is listed as a three-star recruit by Scout.com … started all 18 games for the Apaches … recorded team-high 25 pancake blocks in nine games his sophomore season … graded out at 85 percent or higher for each of his games during his sophomore season.

Rest of the Class
Chris Assily S 6-2 215 Fr. Honolulu, Hawaii/Orange Coast, Calif. CC
Anthony Barnes DE 6-3 255 Jr. Hazlehurst, Miss./Copiah-Lincoln CC
Josh Brinson WR 6-1 165 Fr. Homestead, Fla./South Dade Senior
Rodell Carter WR 6-4 220 Fr. Mount Pleasant, S.C./Georgia Military College
Chase Daniel S 6-2 200 Fr. Birmingham, Ala./Hoover
Nick Davidson DT 6-0 275 Fr. Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun
David Decordova DT 6-2 280 Jr. Manhattan Beach, Calif./El Camino College
Mark Ferrell WR 6-2 220 Jr. South Boston, Va./Mississippi Delta JC
Tyler Fowler OL 6-6 290 Fr. Carnesville, Ga./Franklin County
Elliott Henigan DL 6-4 240 Fr. Atlanta, Ga./The Lovett School
Andre Hicks DB 5-9 165 Fr. Atlanta, Ga./The Lovett School
David Isabelle QB 6-3 185 Fr. Huntsville, Ala./Johnson
Aaron Johns RB 5-10 190 Jr. Thomasville, Ala./Copiah-Lincoln CC
Jared Koechner OL 6-5 285 Jr. Louisburg, Kan./Fort Scott JC
Drew Luker LB 6-3 180 Fr. Sweet Water, Ala./Sweet Water
Patrick Reynolds DB 5-9 175 Fr. Dothan, Ala./Northview
Dominique Roulach LB 6-1 240 Jr. Alexandria, Va./Coffeyville, Kan. CC
Daniel Seahorn OL 6-2 300 Jr. Houston, Texas/Tyler JC
Terrell Springs DB 5-9 175 Fr. Chester, S.C./Chester
Lamanski Ware LB 6-2 205 Fr. Lanett, Ala./Lanett
Jarrell Watters LB 6-0 225 Fr. Thomasville, Ala./Thomasville
Daniel White LB 6-2 220 Fr. Apopka, Fla./Apopka

- 2007 UAB Season
- 2007 UAB Preview
- 2006 UAB Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 2-10
2007 Record: 2-10

Sept. 1 at Michigan St L 55-18
Sept. 8 at Florida State L 34-24
Sept. 15 Alcorn State W 22-0
Sept. 29 at Tulsa L 38-30
Oct. 6 at Miss State L 30-13
Oct. 13 Tulane W 26-21
Oct. 20 Houston L 49-10
Oct. 27 at East Carolina L 41-6
Nov. 3 Southern Miss L 37-7
Nov. 10 UCF L 45-31
Nov. 17 at Memphis L 25-9
Nov. 24 at Marshall L 46-39

2007 Recap

Recap: Neil Callaway knew he’d be rebuilding when he took this job a year ago, so a two-win season in Birmingham came as no surprise.  The Blazers used their 12-game schedule in 2007 to get reps for a flock of freshmen and sophomores that’ll form the foundation of the program for the next few seasons.  While UAB was a pest in the first half of the season, it eventually ran out of gas from a lack of size and depth, which Callaway will attempt to address in the offseason.          

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Joseph Webb

Defensive Player of the Year: S Will Dunbar

Biggest Surprise: Completely outmanned and playing in Tallahassee on Sept. 8, the Blazers put a genuine scare into Florida State, carrying a lead into the second half before fading to the ‘Noles.  Although it was one of UAB’s 10 losses on the season, it was also an early sign that the inexperienced roster was not going to be intimidated by any obstacles or opponents.   

Biggest Disappointment: Playing its best game in over a month, UAB had a chance to carry some momentum into the offseason, but couldn’t stop Marshall in the regular season finale.  Despite producing  season-highs in points and total offense, the Blazers fell seven points shy on win No. 3 when Herd QB Bernard Morris scored a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

Looking Ahead: With so many returning regulars back, there’s cause for optimism in Calloway’s second season on the job.  For an immediate jolt of depth and experience, the coach will look to the JUCO ranks this February for help.

Nov. 24
Marshall 46 ... UAB 39
Marshall pulled out the win in the shootout when Bernard Morris capped off an 11-play, 78-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge with 1:07 to play. UAB bombed away with Joe Webb and Sam Hunt combining to throw for 389 yard and two touchdowns, but it was a four-yard Rashard Slaughter touchdown run with 5:22 that gave the Blazers their first lead of the game before the Herd's final drive. Kevin Saunders returned a punt 58 yards for a fourth quarter UAB score, and Darius Marshall returned a kickoff 91 yards for a Herd score after Mario Wright's second touchdown of the game. Will Dunbar made 16 tackles for the Blazers.
Player of the game: Marshall QB Bernard Morris completed 26 of 36 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown, and ran ten times for 55 yards and a score.
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Joseph Webb, 14-26, 200 yds
Rushing: Sam Hunt, 8-64. Receiving: Frantrell Forrest, 7-64
Marshall - Passing: Bernard Morris, 26-36, 309 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Darius Marshall, 9-60. Receiving: Cody Slate, 6-72
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... This was a rebuilding year in every sense of the word for UAB, and with it were the expected losses. While dropping six straight to close the year isn't a positive, the passing game started to get going, at times, over the second half of the year. The running game never showed up and the defense had way too many problems, especially when it came to getting a big late stop. Marshall was able to drive too easily to close out UAB's season with a thud, and now there's lots of work to be done over the next several months.

Nov. 17
Memphis 25 ... UAB 9
Matt Reagan hit four field goals, Will Hudgens punched it in from one-yard out, and Joseph Doss ran for a 20-yard touchdown as Memphis cranked out 563 yards and had few problems in the win. UAB only managed a field goal and a one-yard Brandon Thornton touchdown run, but couldn't keep up with the Tiger offense. Jake Kasser and LeRico Mathis combined for 25 tackles for the Tigers.
Player of the game: Memphis RB Joseph Doss ran 19 times for 168 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 11-19, 121 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Joseph Webb, 9-44. Receiving: Frantell Forrest, 7-48
Memphis - Passing: Martin Hankins, 14-26, 298 yds
Rushing: Joe Doss, 19-168, 1 TD. Receiving: Duke Calhoun, 4-159
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All the good things that started to happen with the offense last week went away in the loss to Memphis. The running game still isn't finding any sort of a groove, and the passing game isn't picking up the slack. Meanwhile, the run defense got ripped apart yet again, allowing the Tigers to control the game from the start. Against Marshall to close out the year, the team needs something it can hang its hat on, and could use a special performance from QB Sam Hunt.

Nov. 10
UCF 45 ... UAB 31
UCF ran for 402 yards, led by 320 from Kevin Smith who scored from two, three, eight and 41 yards out. The final scoring dash finally put the game away in the final minutes as UAB pulled within seven on a four-yard pass from Joe Webb. Webb threw three touchdown passes, but the defense couldn't handle Smith, and it couldn't stop Curtis Francis on a 51-yard touchdown run, and Rocky Ross on a four-yard catch, to help the Knights pull ahead enough to hold off the late UAB rally.
Player of the game: UCF RB Kevin Smith ran 41 times for 320 yards and four touchdowns
Stat Leaders: UCF - Passing: Kyle Israel, 11-18, 91 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kevin Smith, 41-320, 4 TD. Receiving: Rocky Ross, 3-21, 1 TD
UAB - Passing: Joseph Webb, 15-25, 156 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Sam Hunt, 7-79, 1 TD. Receiving: Frantrell Forrest, 6-71, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Blazers might have lost to UCF, but the offense finally got going for the first time in weeks with Joseph Webb keeping the passing game moving and Sam Hunt stepping in to provide some rushing punch. The run defense wasn't even close to slowing down Kevin Smith and the Knight running game, and now it'll need to find a way to keep the offensive production rolling, and get better stops on defense, to have a chance on the road against Memphis and Marshall over the final two weeks.

Nov. 5
Southern Miss 37 ... UAB 7
Jeremy Young returned from injury and threw two second quarter touchdown passes to Ed Morgan to go along with three Justin Estes field goals and four-yard scoring runs from Tory Harrison and Damion Fletcher on the way to a 37-0 lead midway through the third quarter. UAB finally got on the board with a 32-yard scoring run from Sylvester Mencer, but only ended up with 244 yards of total offense.
Player of the game: Southern Miss QB Jeremy Young completed seven of 16 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns, and ran seven times for 58 yards.
Stat Leaders: Southern Miss - Passing: Jeremy Young, 7-16, 95 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Antwain Easterling, 16-85. Receiving: Ed Morgan, 3-47, 2 TD
UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 11-26, 125 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Joseph Webb, 6-26. Receiving: Sylvester Mencer, 4-65, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The wheels have come off over the last three weeks since beating to Tulane, losing to Houston, East Carolina and Southern Miss by a combined score of 127 to 23. The offense isn't generating anything on the ground, and neither Sam Hunt nor Joe Webb are doing anything with the passing attack. Things don't get any easier with UCF up next before going on the road for the final two games, so the key now is to find something that works to take into next year. There has to be something the team can hang its hat on. Right now, there's not much.

Oct. 27
East Carolina 41 ... UAB 6
East Carolina got up right away with a 35-yard John Williams touchdown run, and answered a UAB field goal with a field goal of its own and a three-yard Dominique Lindsay touchdown run. The game opened up in the third quarter with the Pirates scoring 21 unanswered points with Chris Johnson tearing off a 20-yard scoring run and Pat Pinkney throwing two touchdown passes, highlighted by a 52-yard play to Jamar Bryant. UAB only managed two Swayze Waters field goals.
Player of the game: East Carolina WR Jamar Bryant caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 12-29, 94 yds
Rushing: Brandon Thornton, 12-67. Receiving: Joseph Webb, 5-41
East Carolina - Passing: Patrick Pinkney, 6-7, 159 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Matt Chris Johnson, 15-79, 1 TD. Receiving: Jamar Bryant, 6-114, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UAB was doing a good job all year of battling hard. The team was losing, but things weren't as bad as the defeats seemed. The team was scrapping and staying alive, only to not have enough in the tank when push came to shove. Now the team just doesn't have it. East Carolina and Houston proved over the last two weeks just how far the Blazers have to go. Step one will be finding more from the passing game that got just 128 yards against the Pirates.

Oct. 20
Houston 49 ... UAB 10
Houston rolled for 540 yards of total offense as it overcame a 3-0 deficit to crank out 28 straight first half points on short touchdown runs from Anthony Alridge, Case Keenum and Terrance Ganaway before the Blazers got into the end zone on a four-yard Frantrell Forrest catch. The Cougar defense came up with four interceptions, while the offense cranked out 33 first downs and held on to the ball for 39:28.
Player of the game: Houston RB Anthony Alridge ran 17 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns, and caught four passes for 24 yards
Stat Leaders: Houston - Passing: Blake Joseph, 10-17, 105 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Anthony Alridge, 17-111, 2 TD. Receiving: Mark Hafner, 5-66, 1 TD
UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 12-34, 198 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Brandon Thornton, 3-16. Receiving: Frantrell Forrest, 5-96, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Blazer run defense is having major problems, but right now Houston is putting up big yards on everyone. For the first time since the season opening day loss to Michigan State, the team wasn't even close to being in the game, with the Cougar offense moving the ball at will. Four interceptions proved to be way too costly, while there wasn't a hint of a running game. Now comes a trip against an angry East Carolina team coming off a loss to NC State. The UAB offense has to start getting more consistent production to have any hope of winning the rest of the way.

Oct. 13
UAB 26 ... Tulane 21
Tulane took the opening kickoff 80 yard in ten plays with Matt Forte finishing it off with an eight-yard touchdown run, but UAB answered with a Frantrell Forrest kickoff return for a score. The Blazers reeled off 19 straight points starting with a fumble recovery in the end zone late in the first half, and kicking off the second half scoring with a 17-yard Joe Webb touchdown grab and two field goals. The Green Wave came back with a six-yard Jeremy Williams touchdown catch with just over two minutes to play, but couldn't get any closer.
Player of the game: UAB QB Sam Hunt completed 17 of 32 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown, and ran four times for 22 yards.
Stat Leaders: Tulane - Passing: Anthony Scelfo, 19-37, 264 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Matt Forte, 32-209, 1 TD. Receiving: Jeremy Williams, 6-133, 1 TD
UAB- Passing: Sam Hunt, 17-32, 262 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Rashaud Slaughter, 13-63. Receiving: Joseph Webb, 6-106, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UAB had been close at times, and had been playing better than its record, but it had nothing to show for it. It got outplayed by Tulane, but Sam Hunt had a nice day throwing the ball, and the defense did just enough to hold on to get the win. To have any prayer over the next few weeks against Houston, East Carolina, Southern Miss and UCF, Hunt has to be better on third downs. UAB only converted three of 12 chances.

Oct. 6
Mississippi State 30 ... UAB 13
MSU scored 21 fourth quarter points on Anthony Dixon runs from ten and 12 yards out, and Anthony Johnson returned a pick 30 yards for a score, to put away UAB late. The Blazers took the lead on a 31-yard Frantrell Forrest touchdown catch, and was up 13-9 going into the fourth on a 29-yard Swayze Waters field goal. UAB outgained the Bulldogs 288 yards to 284, but penalties and tackling problems in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference.
Player of the game: Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries.
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 16-35, 217 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Rashaud Slaughter, 12-43. Receiving: Frantrell Forrest, 7-122, 1 TD
Mississippi State - Passing: Wesley Carroll, 9-12, 93 yds
Rushing: Anthony Dixon, 32-152, 3 TDs. Receiving: Jamayel Smith, 4-38
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The defense did a fantastic job against Mississippi State overall, but couldn't handle Anthony Dixon and the running game late. The UAB offense couldn't run the ball on the Bulldog D, and didn't do nearly enough to move the chains, but the real problems were the penalties, committing ten, and the time of possession. UAB couldn't stop the run, couldn't get enough third downs, and allowed MSU to have the ball for over 21 minutes in the second half. The D wore down.

Sept. 29
Tulsa 38 ... UAB 30
It took Tulsa a little while to get going, and then it got a big game from Paul Smith, who threw touchdown passes from 24 yards to Cameron Clemons, and two to Marion Brennan from 35 and 52 yards out. It wasn't until Smith ran for a one-yard score that Tulsa could breathe easily as UAB kept the heat on with two fourth quarter touchdown passes from Sam Hunt. Tulsa finished with 695 yards of total offense, while UAB cranked out 403.
Player of the game: Tulsa QB Paul Smith threw for 333 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, running for 47 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 13-26, 152 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Joseph Webb, 18-81. Receiving: Mario Wright, 5-51, 1 TD
Tulsa - Passing: Paul Smith, 19-37, 333 yds, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing: Tarrion Adams, 24-183, 1 TD. Receiving: Dion Tolliver, 5-88
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The two quarterback system sort of worked against Tulsa, with plenty of rushing yards from Joseph Webb, and decent passing from Sam Hunt, but there was little continuity to the attack. The offense is all about the quarterbacks, and now it's up to the running backs, primarily Rashaud Slaughter, to give more options. Even with the 1-3 start, the team is playing far better than originally expected. The wins will come.

Sept. 15
UAB 22 ... Alcorn State 0
Swayze Waters connected on field goals from 42, 32, 52, 22 and 38 yards out, but UAB also got a touchdown from David Ziegler on a four-yard pass play with 19 seconds to play in the first half. Alcorn State never mounted much of a threat, failing just 233 yards of total offense and converting just 3 of 13 third down chances. UAB outgained ASU 211 to 96 on the ground.
Player of the game: UAB PK Swayze Waters hit all five of field goal attempts
Stat Leaders: Alcorn State - Passing: Chris Walker, 13-25, 133 yds, 2 INT
Rushing: Antoine Young, 13-57. Receiving: Nate Hughes, 5-89
UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 7-16, 88 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Thornton, 21-89. Receiving: Joseph Webb, 3-62
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UAB might have gotten its first win in the Neil Callaway era, beating Alcorn State with ease, but there are more question marks than ever before. The offense was inconsistent, at best, with little from the passing game, while drive after drive stalled, giving Swayze Waters plenty of chances to be a hero with five field goals. This was supposed to be the cupcake game to establish Sam Hunt as the leader and star under center, and that didn't exactly happen. Now comes Tulsa and its high-powered attack. After this game, the Blazers don't appear equipped to stay with the Golden Hurricane for more than a half.

Sept. 8
Florida State 34 ... UAB 24
It took a while, but Florida State eventually put UAB away. Tied at 24 late in the third quarter, the Noles finally pulled ahead for good on a 50-yard touchdown pass to Richard Goodman. Gary Cismesia added a 40-yard field goal for a little breathing room, and FSU escaped. Weatherford threw three touchdown passes, but UAB hunt tough thanks to a 21-yard Will Dunbar interception return for a touchdown, a four-yard Sam Hunt scoring run, and a 16-yard pass from Hunt to Joseph Webb. The Noles outgained UAB 520 yards to 345, but turned it over three times.
Player of the game: Florida State QB Drew Weatherford went 22-of-35 for 332 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 17-35, 226 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Sam Hunt, 11-56, 1 TD. Receiving: Joseph Webb, 6-89, 1 TD
Florida State - Passing: Drew Weatherford, 22-35, 332 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Antone Smith, 19-62. Receiving: Preston Parker, 4-89
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Considering Michigan State ran all over the Blazers in the season opener, the loss to Florida State was a step up as the D only allowed 188 yards. Fine, so the Noles cranked out 520 yards in the win, but UAB showed great heart in hanging tough as long as it did. No help for Sam Hunt and 12 penalties for 110 yards didn't help the upset bid, but this was still a positive performance going into the apparent breather against Alcorn State. A young team like UAB can learn a lot from playing FSU so tough, even if it was a loss.

Sept. 1
Michigan State 55 ... UAB 18
Jehuu Caulcrick ran for three first quarter touchdowns, including a 42-yard dash for a 21-0 lead, and added a fourth score early in the second quarter as the Spartans got out to a 42-0 lead before UAB finally got on the board with a 35-yard Swayze Waters field goal. The Blazers didn't get into the end zone until the fourth quarter on a 15-yard Joe Webb catch, but that was the only highlight. The Spartans outgained the Blazers 298 yards to 12 on the ground.
Player of the game ... Michigan State RB Jehuu Caulcrick ran for 93 yards and four touchdowns on ten carries.
Stat Leaders: UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 21-39, 214 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Rashaud Slaughter, 13-25 Receiving: Joseph Webb, 6-98, 1 TD
Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 14-17, 201 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jehuu Caulcrick, 10-93, 4 TDs  Receiving: Devin Thomas, 5-106, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UAB is undergoing a major rebuilding job and will need a long, long time before it's competitive against the better teams, and the blowout loss to Michigan State showed it. The lines got shoved around all over the place, and the running game never had a chance to work on anything after getting down so quickly. Sam Hunt might not have been horrible throwing the ball, but he didn't push the ball down the field at all, mostly because he was under pressure all game long. Don't expect things to get much better next week against Florida State; the Blazers will have to wait until the Alcorn State game to work on everything it needs to.