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UAB Football: Preview, predictions for Blazers’ 2019 season

By Jake Mitchell

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Spencer Brown #28 of the UAB Blazers rushes past Tyrel Dodson #25 of the Texas A&M Aggies as Larry Pryor #11 pursues on the play in the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Spencer Brown #28 of the UAB Blazers rushes past Tyrel Dodson #25 of the Texas A&M Aggies as Larry Pryor #11 pursues on the play in the first quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Previewing the defense

This unit was the driving force for UAB last season. At 17 points per game, the Blazers finished first in the C-USA and seventh nationally in scoring defense. They also finished third in the nation in sacks, and second in the nation in third-down defense.

For defensive coordinator David Reeves, the losses on the defensive side of the ball aren’t nearly as egregious as the offense, but there is still significant change.

Up front, senior defensive end Garrett Marino will be the leader of an otherwise young group. He committed to UAB early in the process, nearly two years before they were playing football again. Now, as he enters his senior year, it will be a special and meaningful final year for him.

The youth around Marino is exciting as well. Redshirt freshman Fish McWilliams will start at nose tackle. At 6-foot and 320 pounds, he’l be counted on to plug up the middle. Antonio Moultrie, Tony Fair, and Michael Wright will all be part of the rotation up front.

The linebacking core is where the experience lies. Fitzgerald Mofor, the former walk-on, led the team in tackles with 75. Kris Moll played the Star position for the Blazers last season, but he’ll be back at the traditional linebacker spot this year.

Jarrion Street and Dy’jonn Turner will compete for the aforementioned Star position in the back end of this defense. Street is a transfer from Ole Miss who played running back for UAB last year. Cornerback Brontae Harris should once again be one of the top defensive backs in the C-USA.

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