What to Know as UAB Heads to American Conference Media Days

BIRMINGHAM – As the 2025 season kicks into high gear, third year head coach Trent Dilfer, quarterback Jalen Kitna and defensive tackle Denver Warren will represent UAB at American Conference Media Days this Thursday and Friday in Charlotte.

HOW TO WATCH:

The Blazers will be live on ESPN+ on Friday at 10:40 a.m. ET/9:40 a.m. CT, followed by Trent Dilfer's press conference at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. CT.

ESPN+ will carry two feeds from The American Football Kickoff, beginning at 8 a.m. ET on Friday, July 24. Host Maria Trivelpiece will join analysts Rene Ingoglia and Leger Douzable as well as reporter Hannah Bradey for nearly six hours of live coverage, while a second feed will include the press conferences of Commissioner Tim Pernetti and the American's 14 head coaches.

Watch: American Football Kickoff on ESPN+

Watch: American Football Kickoff Press Conference Feed

TEAM NOTES:

The Blazers look to return to bowl eligibility after missing the postseason each of the last two seasons.
UAB has added 30 players through the transfer portal and have 48 new faces on the roster for the 2025 season.
With multiple starting positions available, it will be a highly competitive training camp as the Blazers return just three starters: QB Jalen Kitna, OL JonDarius Morgan and S Sirad Bryant.
It's a new-look defense for UAB as Dilfer tapped into his NFL connections and hired a veteran staff that has a combined 41 years of NFL coaching experience. Headlined by Defensive Coordinator Steve Russ, the new coaching staff also includes defensive line coach Sam Mills III, secondary coach Brent Vieselmeyer, cornerbacks coach Ryan Lewis Sr., linebackers coach Jonathan Celestin and nickels coach Tee Mitchell.
Special Teams remains in great shape with three starters back in reigning American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year Jonah Delange entering his second season as the full-time place kicker, along with punter Pat Foley who looks to go down as one of the best punters in school history. Junior Caleb Moser enters his third year as the starting long snapper.

JALEN KITNA NOTES:

Senior quarterback Jalen Kitna returns after starting the final eight games of the 2024 season. In eight games, Kitna threw for 2,209 yards (276.1/game), 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes.
Kitna had two 300+ yard performances last year, including his performance against Tulsa where he threw for 404 yards and an FBS school record six touchdowns passes. He also threw for 384 yards against South Florida.
Since January, Kitna has logged the second most community service hours on the team, serving more than 35 hours in the Birmingham community.
Summer Highlight: Kitna married his wife, Bri, on May 25, 2025.

DENVER WARREN NOTES:

Warren is a fifth-year transfer who most recently played at Sam Houston State and helped the Bearkats go 10-3 and win their first ever bowl game in 2024.
Warren had 25 tackles, 3.0 TFL and 2.5 sacks last season. He appeared in all 13 games.
The Chicago native is expected to play a major role in the new look defense under the direction of Defensive Coordinator Steve Russ.
Warren is a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and has led UAB in community service hours since his arrival in January, logging almost 40 hours in the community.
Summer Highlight: Warren traveled to France this summer with teammate Nigel Tate.

The Blazers open the season on Thursday, Aug. 28 at home against Alabama State. Kickoff at Protective Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics

What to Know as UAB Heads to American Conference Media Days

Players Mentioned

Sirad Bryant

Jonah Delange

Jalen Kitna

JonDarius Morgan

Caleb Moser

Nigel Tate

Denver Warren

Related Videos