Few coaches enter the season on a hotter seat than UAB’s Trent Dilfer.
The former Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens enters his third season at UAB, and the Blazers will likely need to earn a bowl bid to ensure a fourth year.
UAB went 4-8 in Dilfer’s first season in 2023 and slipped to 3-9 last season.
Dilfer has gone all-in by basically hiring a new defensive staff with heavy NFL experience. New defensive coordinator Steve Russ played three seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and coached in the NFL for six seasons, coaching linebackers for the Carolina Panthers from 2018-2019 and linebackers for the Washington Commanders from 2020-2023. Last season, he served as special assistant to the head coach at Air Force.
Defensive line coach Sam Mills III and secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer both coached with Russ in Washington. New nickels coach Tee Mitchell spent three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one as a scouting assistant in 2019 and two as a defensive quality control coach in 2022 and 2023.
New linebackers coach Jonathan Celestin spent time on the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.
UAB’s defense last season allowed 34.3 points per game, which was 11th in the 14-team AAC.
It will take more than coaching to improve the defense. There is only one starter back, although he is a talented player, safety Sirad Bryant, who started 10 games and finished third on the team with 60 tackles. Safety AJ Brown appeared in 12 games, contributing 31 tackles and an interception.
The offense is much more experienced, but also needs improvement after averaging 26.3 points, which was ninth in the AAC. It’s likely that the offense will have to carry the load early in the season until the defense gains its footing.
UAB Football’s AAC Title Betting Odds
UAB’s odds to make it to the AAC Championship are +4000, via BetMGM.
UAB Football’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
UAB’s win total Over/Under is 4.5, with Under 4.5 and Over 4.5 both at -110.
UAB Football’s 2025 Schedule
8/28 vs Alabama State
9/6 at Navy
9/13 vs Akron
9/20 at Tennessee
10/4 vs Army
10/11 at Florida Atlantic
10/18 vs Memphis
11/1 at UConn
11/8 at Rice
11/15 vs North Texas
11/22 vs South Florida
11/29 at Tulsa
Bold indicates AAC contests
For more Group of Five coverage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Key UAB Football Returners
2024 All-AAC 1st Team
P/K Jonah Delange
UAB Football Predicted To Win The AAC
A big reason for optimism about the offense stems from the potential shown by 6-foot-5, 220-pound redshirt senior quarterback Jalen Kitna. Last year in his first season at UAB after beginning his career at Florida, Kitna started the final eight games for the Blazers. He completed 62% of his passes for 2,209 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. UAB was 2-6 in his eight starts.
Yet this was his first extended experience in college. In two seasons at Florida, he had a total of 10 completions. He has a strong arm and good bloodlines, as his father is former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna. It’s just a matter now of cutting down on the mistakes.
A potential breakout player is wide receiver Corri Milliner. Last year, Milliner made one start but appeared in 11 games. He had 24 receptions for 416 yards and three touchdowns. Milliner came on strong at the end of the season. In the final three games against Memphis, Rice and Charlotte, Milliner caught 16 passes for 290 yards and two scores. He could be among the top deep threats in the AAC.
The running back position has talent, but the players have to stay healthy. That is especially true for running back Isaiah Jacobs, who has been limited to nine games over the past two seasons due to injury. The brother of NFL running back Josh Jacobs, Isaiah Jacobs has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 96 attempts during his two seasons with the Blazers. Solomon Beebe, the brother of former UAB running back Lee Beebe, rushed for 81 yards and a score on 22 carries and could see more rushing attempts in 2025. He also returned 11 kickoffs for 316 yards. Jevon Jackson, an Alabama native and transfer from UTEP, also figures to be in the running back mix.
The offensive line, like the entire defense, isn’t experienced, with redshirt senior tackle JonDarius Morgan leading the way.
Another weapon is placekicker Jonah Delange, the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year last season after converting 21 of 24 field goal attempts and being successful on all 31 PAT tries. He was 2 for 2 on field goal attempts of 50 or more yards.
UAB Football Season Prediction
While I don’t think UAB will contend for the AAC title, I like the Blazers to win at least five games. The new defensive coaching staff should make a difference, and the offense has the potential to be among the best in the AAC.
Kitna will need to take that next step, which he is capable of. Obviously, he will have to cut down on turnovers, but otherwise, this is a unit that has the capability of averaging more than 30 points per game.
The defense will be a work in progress but should perform better than last year’s unit. With the pressure of having to show marked improvement, I like UAB to answer the call in this make-or-break season.
