D+
Clearer identity than Charlotte; ~4 returning starters + last-in-AAC 2025 D = foundation year (win total ~3.5)
American · 2026
UAB
2025 record 4–8 2–6 conference
Postseason No bowl
Head coach Alex Mortensen First full year
Scheme Multiple / 4-2-5 (DC Todd Grantham)
B−
Portal #6 (volume); overall #11 = portal-dependent
C−
Two-deeps filled with portal names; little Birmingham continuity
Market odds
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Recruiting ranks
Overall #11 51 commits · 147.53 pts
Portal #6 39 commits· avg 84.13
Roster notes
Foundation year under Mortensen / Grantham
Ryder Burton confirmed #1
Rod Robinson II / Braylon “Bam” McReynolds (ULM) / Ja’Vin Simpkins (Coastal)
Returns ~7% of 2025 production — Kaleb Brown the rare returner
C Adam Lepkowski + LG Calib Perez are the clear holdovers
Nearly all new (Blanche Gold, Marlin Dean, Ike Esonwune). Nigel Tate (DT, Achilles) missed spring — fall availability still unclear
Jonah Delange returns
Key offense
- 01 Ryder Burton QB
- BYU/WVU → UAB
- 2025 (regular season): 62/98, 708 yds, 7 TD, 5 INT in 9 G / 2 starts
- First start: 20/27, 251, 3 TD in 31–24 upset of No. 22 Memphis (Davey O’Brien Great 8 / Manning Star of the Week)
- 02 Braylon “Bam” McReynolds RB
- South Alabama → ULM → UAB
- 2025 (incl. bowl) ULM: 123 carries, 637 yds, 3 rushing TD (5.2 YPC)
- 16 receptions, 90 yds, 1 TD
- 03 Ja’Vin Simpkins RB
- Coastal Carolina → UAB
- 2025 (incl. bowl) CCU: 125 carries, 591 yds, 2 rushing TD
- 17 receptions, 74 yds
Key defense
- 01 Blanche Gold EDGE
- Morgan State → UAB
- 2025 (regular season): All-MEAC First Team
- 45 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks
- 02 Marlin Dean EDGE/OLB
- Georgia → Butler CC → Utah State → Georgia State → UAB
- 2025 (regular season) GSU: 32 tackles, 3 TFL, FF in 11 G
- 03 Ike Esonwune LB
- Oklahoma State → UAB
- 2025 (regular season) OSU: 27 tackles, 2 PBU in 12 G — listed WLB1 under Grantham