Former Iowa Receiver Kaleb Brown Key to UAB Football Rebuild
The UAB Blazers are starting fresh under new head coach Alex Mortensen, and a former Iowa Hawkeye could determine whether the turnaround succeeds. Wide receiver Kaleb Brown, who spent two seasons at Iowa before transferring, is the most experienced pass catcher on a roster that lost its top four receivers this offseason.
Why UAB Needed a Coaching Change
Sometimes a program just needs to admit a mistake and move on. UAB did exactly that.
The Blazers returned from a self-imposed hiatus in 2017 and thrived under Bill Clark, who won 43 games in five years. Bryant Vincent followed with a 7-6 record and a bowl victory. That should have been enough to build on.
Instead, UAB's administration hired former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer as the program transitioned from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference. The results were dismal. Dilfer went 9-21 before being dismissed midway through the 2025 season.
Alex Mortensen stepped up from offensive coordinator to interim head coach and now has the full-time job. The program is his to reshape.
What Mortensen Brings to the Table
Mortensen won't offer a quick fix, and he isn't pretending otherwise. His goal this season is laying a foundation that makes UAB a consistent winner again.
The offense showed signs of life after he took over, particularly in the running game. UAB hit the 200-yard rushing mark three times under Mortensen and won all three games, including a shocking upset over Memphis.
The Blazers should push past 400 yards per game this fall, even with significant roster turnover.
How Former Iowa Hawkeye Kaleb Brown Becomes the Go-To Guy
Brown started his career at Ohio State, transferred to Iowa, and caught 23 passes over two seasons in Iowa City. He moved on to UAB last year, where he hauled in 17 receptions for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
Those numbers don't jump off the page, but context matters. UAB lost its top four wideouts this offseason, including Iverson Hooks to Oregon and Xavier Daisy to Kentucky. Brown is the only returning receiver with meaningful experience.
He has the talent. He showed flashes at Iowa. Now he needs to be the primary target for a quarterback room that returns Ryder Burton and Nate Rogers.
Can the Running Game Carry the Offense?
Mortensen's best path to early success might be keeping the ball on the ground. The Blazers added three experienced running backs through the transfer portal.
Rod Robinson arrives from Georgia as a 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser. Ja'Vin Simpkins comes from Coastal Carolina after nearly reaching 600 rushing yards last season. Bam McReynolds transferred from ULM, where he topped 600 yards on the ground.
The offensive line returns guard Calib Perez and center Adam Lepkowski, while adding tackle transfers Keyon Cox from Oregon State and Cooper Young from West Virginia.
Fixing a Defense That Was Historically Bad
The numbers are ugly. UAB allowed 38.3 points per game last season, second-worst in the nation behind only UMass. The Blazers gave up 42 or more points five times and 53 or more in three of those.
The pass defense was the least efficient in America, allowing a staggering 9.7 yards per attempt with a 176.3 opponent passer rating. That rating was the worst in college football since Akron's disastrous six-game 2020 season.
Third downs were just as painful. UAB allowed opponents to convert 49 percent of the time, making the Blazers one of the three worst defenses in the country on third down.
Veteran Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham Leads the Overhaul
Mortensen made a critical hire in bringing aboard Todd Grantham as defensive coordinator. Grantham spent time at Oklahoma State, in the NFL, and in the SEC. He provides the veteran voice a young head coach needs.
The Blazers loaded up on edge rushers in the portal. Marlin Dean comes from Georgia State as a hybrid pass rusher with two years of experience. Tylin Jackson arrived from Eastern Washington, and Blanche Gold brings veteran presence from Morgan State.
Inside, Boston College transfer Sterling Sanders adds a 305-pound tackle, and the staff hopes 330-pound fellow former BC lineman Nigel Tate can suit up. Returning 305-pounder Kyle Mosley needs to become a bigger factor.
Who Are the Players to Watch?
Chris Burge, EDGE, Sophomore: The 6-foot-3, 250-pound pass rusher is one of the few returning veterans on defense. He led the team with 3.5 sacks last year and has the talent for a much bigger season.
Ryder Burton, QB, Junior: The BYU and West Virginia transfer threw seven touchdowns against five interceptions after taking over. He was brilliant in the Memphis upset but struggled with consistency. He needs to protect the football.
What Is the Season Outlook for UAB?
The coaching upgrade is real. The overall talent level still lags behind the top half of the American Athletic Conference.
The Blazers should beat ULM, Samford, and Charlotte at home. Another upset along the lines of last year's Memphis shocker is likely. A five-win season is possible if everything breaks right.
More realistically, this is a four-win season that sets the table for 2027. Mortensen needs time to build his program the right way, and patience from the administration that wasn't extended to his predecessor could make all the difference.
Why Does the UAB Coaching Turnover Matter?
UAB has now cycled through three head coaches in four years after Bill Clark's retirement. The Dilfer experiment cost the program two lost seasons and roster stability. Mortensen represents a return to football fundamentals over celebrity hires.
Can Kaleb Brown Handle a Number One Receiver Role?
Brown has never been a primary target at the college level. His 23 catches at Iowa came in a limited role, and his 17 catches at UAB came alongside proven playmakers. The Blazers don't have another option, so Brown will get every chance to prove himself.
What Game Will Define UAB's Season?
October 15 at home against East Carolina. If UAB can split early conference games against Navy and Memphis, the Pirates matchup becomes the season's pivot point. A win there could signal real progress. A loss confirms another rebuilding year.