The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Photo by: Ken Shepherd
UAB Football Fall Camp Report: Day 1
7/28/2025 3:29:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – With 31 days until kickoff against Alabama State at Protective Stadium, the UAB football team took the field for its first day of fall camp on Monday morning at the Football Operations Center.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
On starting year three as head coach:
"Well, I think (fans) should be disappointed, I don't think anybody is more disappointed than I am, but it is a new team, 40% of the staff is new, and about half of the roster is new. I think we did a lot of soul searching in the offseason, I know I did and tried to attack this season with a different plan. Sometimes you plan your dive if you are a deep-sea diver and you get under water and then you have to adjust your plan. That is what we have done, and we feel good about the mentality of this team. I think the mental and physical fortitude is different, I think we recruited a different type of human-being, and there is more professionalism in our building. I am not going to make any promises on who we are yet as we are trying to figure that out because this is only our 16th practice with them and then our first practice with a lot of new guys from the spring portal. We will know more as training camp goes on."
On the depth of the roster:
"We have a lot of positions up for grabs. I think what that does is it allows the people pushing for those positions, one to push themselves, to elevate, and actually elevate the guy or the guys that you are going against. When that unfolds, either you have a defined starter at that position, or you are going to use a rotation at that position. Either way, you are better off because you have revealed who you are. We are excited about the amount of players competing for spots and we've seen signs from a lot of them through the offseason and through today's practice that are encouraging but we will not know anything about this team until multiple padded practices and going through some real adversity in camp and right now we are just getting everything installed and then start the evaluation process."
On building a relationship with QB Jalen Kitna:
"He has been more than we could ever ask for. He has grown so much as a leader. He has had a really good physical offseason, too. I think he has a different leadership style than me, and more, probably, but maybe better. He is kind of quiet at times and then when he needs to speak up he can. He has command and I think the players trust him. They trust him because of how hard he has worked. He has invested in this thing, and I think they trust him because he has performed at a high level in practice. We still have 30-something days to get better, and he has 30-something days to get better but to this point we are really pleased by the progress.
"I think the thing that jumps out the most is him freeing up a little bit, his personality comes out, I think his play style when he is more instinctive is better and I think his engagement with the players, whether it is offense or defense, he just has a cool way of engaging with guys where people rally around him."
Coach Dilfer on changing the practice format:
"If you've noticed, those of you that have been here, it is a much shorter practice, but more intensity to it. There is a lot more classroom, walk through, a lot more teaching to prepare us for a game-like environment on the field, not a lot of fluff. We have cut out a lot of the fluff and made up for those principles that we used to try to teach at practice, we are trying to use in other arenas. We also care about the players' health. As all of us old guys have grown in this game, it used to just be 30 days, kill them, and see what we come out with. Now we are really trying to make sure in training camp that we are building them up and not tearing them down. So you have to be strategic with that where we are still getting the work we need to get, you are still developing the resilience and fortitude that you need, but at the same time we are not beating up on bodies."
SENIOR SAFETY SIRAD BRYANT:
On getting on the same page with all the new faces:
"I would say, we work with each other all the time. Like sometimes off the field, we have to get together and work some things out especially when it comes to calls and different adjustments that we have. Coach also does a good job of subbing us in with each other because you've got to feel how other guys play because everyone brings something different. When we are in the game, I know how to play with this guy, I know he's going to do this, I know he's going to take the outside, different things of that nature."
On a different mentality from the new defensive staff:
"The way I study my film, the way I come into practice every day, I'm really intentional about everything I do so I can reach my fullest potential. With the new staff coming in they're bringing in a lot of NFL experience, and I want to go to the NFL one day so I'm taking all of it in and trying to maximize my opportunities and trying to be the best me."
On having shorter practices this fall camp:
"We get in, get good work, be very intentional, try to make sure guys are dialed in at all times so we don't miss any reps. Like there are guys on the sidelines not getting many reps, but everybody needs to be paying attention so we can all maximize our potential. Like Coach Dilfer mentioned in his reference to squeezing water out of the towel with our potential being the water. He's just trying to maximize our potential so we can be the best team all together and win this conference."
On being a team leader and trying to help raise the level of the defense:
"I want to connect with all the guys so I can have a bond with them on the field and off the field so they know that I am always going to be there for them, and I am going to be the best leader I can be. For me, when I was at Georgia Tech there were a lot of older guys that took me in and taught me the way. They were actually trying to get to know me so that I could feel comfortable when I was around them and when we got on the field it was the same way. I'm trying to take what I learned from Georgia Tech and apply it here."
On having a lot of talent in the secondary:
"We got a lot of guys. It's very crowded because everyone's got to compete at the same time. Then sometimes guys go down and in the secondary so we need a lot of guys. We've got a lot of corners, a lot of safeties, a lot of nickels, just to see who's the best and who's going to be our depth players and things of that nature. Everybody came in and is doing real good right now, and I'm looking forward to competing the rest of fall camp."
QUARTERBACK JALEN KITNA:
On having a coach like Trent Dilfer believing in him:
"Yeah, I think that's super important, and I really appreciate Trent for just his belief in me. That comes with a lot, he expects a lot out of me and coaches me that way. That's how he coaches this whole team. He has a vision for the guys, and I think that's very special and allows guys to play at their best."
On the new style of practice:
"You know, it's day one so there's growing pains for sure. We just got to get back up to speed and conditioned, all those different things, like getting connected. It's all different with helmets on then when pads come on. We're adjusting, but I'm excited for it, I think it's going to be great for us heading into the season."
On connecting with all the new receivers:
"Well shoot, Jaylen Elder, a freshman had a great catch down the field today so that was awesome to see. We got to get a lot of work this summer with a lot of guys that came in, so it's just cool seeing some of that stuff come to fruition today. I'm excited for this team."
On establishing a connecting with the offensive line:
"A lot of the stuff that we're working on and putting in is just about communication between everybody and making sure that we're on the same page there. I love the guys that we've got in the trenches, they're awesome and they work really hard. It's been great with the work they got to put in during the summer and working with them, now in pads they're getting happy about being in helmets and pads so they can get a little physical."
On getting married this offseason:
"My offseason was great. Super excited to be married. It was just like, you know, something that I've never experienced before. Super thankful for that and being able to go into the season like that. It's great having Trent as someone not only on the football field but as someone that mentors you on and off the field. Him developing me into the right man to be on and off the field is definitely helpful in my marriage too."
2025 SEASON TICKETS:
Season ticket packages for the 2025 UAB Football season are on sale now. Season ticket packages will feature all six home games during the 2025 football season and provide access to the best available seating at Protective Stadium. Click here to purchase new 2025 season tickets, or fans may also request more information here.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW:
- With only three returning starters and 48 new players, every position will have extreme competition throughout fall camp as everyone tries to seize their opportunities for playing time.
- Two positions groups to keep an eye on throughout fall camp are the offensive line and the secondary. Returning starter JonDarius Morgan anchors the offensive line and will lead a unit that looks to gel throughout camp. Depth looks to be a strength with five new players added through the portal and a host of younger guys rising up through the ranks. The secondary is also extremely deep through portal additions and with senior Sirad Bryant as the only returning starter on defense, competition in the secondary should be fierce.
- Jalen Kitna was taking first team snaps and looks to lead UAB back to the postseason after a two-year hiatus. Coach Dilfer noted how good of an offseason Kitna had and how he has risen into a team leader. Kitna looked the part today, and was splitting reps with Ryder Burton, Adrian Posse, Nate Rogers and Trace Campbell.
HEAD COACH TRENT DILFER:
On starting year three as head coach:
"Well, I think (fans) should be disappointed, I don't think anybody is more disappointed than I am, but it is a new team, 40% of the staff is new, and about half of the roster is new. I think we did a lot of soul searching in the offseason, I know I did and tried to attack this season with a different plan. Sometimes you plan your dive if you are a deep-sea diver and you get under water and then you have to adjust your plan. That is what we have done, and we feel good about the mentality of this team. I think the mental and physical fortitude is different, I think we recruited a different type of human-being, and there is more professionalism in our building. I am not going to make any promises on who we are yet as we are trying to figure that out because this is only our 16th practice with them and then our first practice with a lot of new guys from the spring portal. We will know more as training camp goes on."
On the depth of the roster:
"We have a lot of positions up for grabs. I think what that does is it allows the people pushing for those positions, one to push themselves, to elevate, and actually elevate the guy or the guys that you are going against. When that unfolds, either you have a defined starter at that position, or you are going to use a rotation at that position. Either way, you are better off because you have revealed who you are. We are excited about the amount of players competing for spots and we've seen signs from a lot of them through the offseason and through today's practice that are encouraging but we will not know anything about this team until multiple padded practices and going through some real adversity in camp and right now we are just getting everything installed and then start the evaluation process."
On building a relationship with QB Jalen Kitna:
"He has been more than we could ever ask for. He has grown so much as a leader. He has had a really good physical offseason, too. I think he has a different leadership style than me, and more, probably, but maybe better. He is kind of quiet at times and then when he needs to speak up he can. He has command and I think the players trust him. They trust him because of how hard he has worked. He has invested in this thing, and I think they trust him because he has performed at a high level in practice. We still have 30-something days to get better, and he has 30-something days to get better but to this point we are really pleased by the progress.
"I think the thing that jumps out the most is him freeing up a little bit, his personality comes out, I think his play style when he is more instinctive is better and I think his engagement with the players, whether it is offense or defense, he just has a cool way of engaging with guys where people rally around him."
Coach Dilfer on changing the practice format:
"If you've noticed, those of you that have been here, it is a much shorter practice, but more intensity to it. There is a lot more classroom, walk through, a lot more teaching to prepare us for a game-like environment on the field, not a lot of fluff. We have cut out a lot of the fluff and made up for those principles that we used to try to teach at practice, we are trying to use in other arenas. We also care about the players' health. As all of us old guys have grown in this game, it used to just be 30 days, kill them, and see what we come out with. Now we are really trying to make sure in training camp that we are building them up and not tearing them down. So you have to be strategic with that where we are still getting the work we need to get, you are still developing the resilience and fortitude that you need, but at the same time we are not beating up on bodies."
SENIOR SAFETY SIRAD BRYANT:
On getting on the same page with all the new faces:
"I would say, we work with each other all the time. Like sometimes off the field, we have to get together and work some things out especially when it comes to calls and different adjustments that we have. Coach also does a good job of subbing us in with each other because you've got to feel how other guys play because everyone brings something different. When we are in the game, I know how to play with this guy, I know he's going to do this, I know he's going to take the outside, different things of that nature."
On a different mentality from the new defensive staff:
"The way I study my film, the way I come into practice every day, I'm really intentional about everything I do so I can reach my fullest potential. With the new staff coming in they're bringing in a lot of NFL experience, and I want to go to the NFL one day so I'm taking all of it in and trying to maximize my opportunities and trying to be the best me."
On having shorter practices this fall camp:
"We get in, get good work, be very intentional, try to make sure guys are dialed in at all times so we don't miss any reps. Like there are guys on the sidelines not getting many reps, but everybody needs to be paying attention so we can all maximize our potential. Like Coach Dilfer mentioned in his reference to squeezing water out of the towel with our potential being the water. He's just trying to maximize our potential so we can be the best team all together and win this conference."
On being a team leader and trying to help raise the level of the defense:
"I want to connect with all the guys so I can have a bond with them on the field and off the field so they know that I am always going to be there for them, and I am going to be the best leader I can be. For me, when I was at Georgia Tech there were a lot of older guys that took me in and taught me the way. They were actually trying to get to know me so that I could feel comfortable when I was around them and when we got on the field it was the same way. I'm trying to take what I learned from Georgia Tech and apply it here."
On having a lot of talent in the secondary:
"We got a lot of guys. It's very crowded because everyone's got to compete at the same time. Then sometimes guys go down and in the secondary so we need a lot of guys. We've got a lot of corners, a lot of safeties, a lot of nickels, just to see who's the best and who's going to be our depth players and things of that nature. Everybody came in and is doing real good right now, and I'm looking forward to competing the rest of fall camp."
QUARTERBACK JALEN KITNA:
On having a coach like Trent Dilfer believing in him:
"Yeah, I think that's super important, and I really appreciate Trent for just his belief in me. That comes with a lot, he expects a lot out of me and coaches me that way. That's how he coaches this whole team. He has a vision for the guys, and I think that's very special and allows guys to play at their best."
On the new style of practice:
"You know, it's day one so there's growing pains for sure. We just got to get back up to speed and conditioned, all those different things, like getting connected. It's all different with helmets on then when pads come on. We're adjusting, but I'm excited for it, I think it's going to be great for us heading into the season."
On connecting with all the new receivers:
"Well shoot, Jaylen Elder, a freshman had a great catch down the field today so that was awesome to see. We got to get a lot of work this summer with a lot of guys that came in, so it's just cool seeing some of that stuff come to fruition today. I'm excited for this team."
On establishing a connecting with the offensive line:
"A lot of the stuff that we're working on and putting in is just about communication between everybody and making sure that we're on the same page there. I love the guys that we've got in the trenches, they're awesome and they work really hard. It's been great with the work they got to put in during the summer and working with them, now in pads they're getting happy about being in helmets and pads so they can get a little physical."
On getting married this offseason:
"My offseason was great. Super excited to be married. It was just like, you know, something that I've never experienced before. Super thankful for that and being able to go into the season like that. It's great having Trent as someone not only on the football field but as someone that mentors you on and off the field. Him developing me into the right man to be on and off the field is definitely helpful in my marriage too."
2025 SEASON TICKETS:
Season ticket packages for the 2025 UAB Football season are on sale now. Season ticket packages will feature all six home games during the 2025 football season and provide access to the best available seating at Protective Stadium. Click here to purchase new 2025 season tickets, or fans may also request more information here.
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