Tag: UAB

Report: Eric Gaines worked out for the Thunder in pre-draft visit

Eric Gaines spent three seasons in college with LSU & UAB.

The 2023 NBA draft is less than a month away, which means the Oklahoma City Thunder continue to meet with prospects.

One of those prospects who reportedly worked out for the Thunder is UAB guard Eric Gaines, according to Pistons Draft Talk Scouting on Twitter.

In 39 games last season, Gaines averaged 11.5 points on 39.4% shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He also shot 34.3% from 3 on 2.8 attempts. The 22-year-old played three college seasons (2020-2023), the first two at LSU and the last at UAB.

Gaines is projected to be a late second-round pick or an undrafted free agent, which means the Thunder could select him with their No. 50 pick.

The 2023 NBA draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 22. A full list of prospects who’ve met with the Thunder can be read here.

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One under-the-radar player to watch from the NFL draft’s six weakest position groups

We’re looking at one under-the-radar player to watch from the 2023 NFL draft’s six weakest position groups

This year’s NFL draft class offers high-end talent, but some positions offer more talent than others, including a tight-end group that could become one of the best we’ve seen in a long time.

That’s not an early-round need for Philadelphia; while edge rusher and cornerback offer the most depth, it’s not an overall deep draft, and GM Howie Roseman will likely look for elite talent in the first 100 picks.

With the selection process just one week away from today, here’s one under-the-radar prospect to watch from the draft’s six weakest position groups.

Jets hosting UAB RB DeWayne McBride Monday

The nation’s leading rusher from 2022 is visiting the Jets Monday

The Jets are bringing in UAB running back DeWayne McBride for a visit Monday, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The five-foot-ten and 209-pound back was about as productive as you can be in 2022, leading the nation in rushing yards (1,713), rushing yards per game (155.3) and yards per carry (7.35). That includes three games with at least 200 yards. He was also second in the nation with 19 rushing yards.

McBride could be a nice complement back to Breece Hall and someone the Jets could use on early downs to get some yards and a few explosive plays. With Hall coming back from injury and question marks behind him, a day three pick at running isn’t out of the question. McBride would be an intriguing one.

One RB for the Eagles in each round of the 2023 NFL draft

We’re looking at one running back for the Philadelphia Eagles in every round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Eagles will look different at running back in 2023, with Rashaad Penny replacing former Penn State star Miles Sanders.

Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Trey Sermon give Philadelphia the potential for a solid committee of rushers. However, Eagles GM Howie Roseman could look to land the perfect fit during this month’s draft.

The Eagles have eyes for Bijan Robinson and Jahymr Gibbs, and we have one running back for each round if GM Howie Roseman decides to make a move.

Report: Chargers to host UAB CB Starling Thomas on pre-draft visit

The Chargers are interested in a fast and physical cornerback.

Former UAB cornerback Starling Thomas will be traveling to Los Angeles for a top-30 visit with the Chargers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Thomas allowed only 257 yards and 22 catches on 58 targets last season with nine pass breakups. For his efforts, Thomas earned an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, NV.

Thomas made Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list, as he won a state title in Alabama in the 100-meter dash in high school after running a 10.4 and was GPS timed at over 24 MPH while at UAB.

At his pro day this past week, Thomas posted a 37.5-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.30 40.

That speed is evident on the field, as Thomas is a fast and physical defender with fluid hips that allow him to mirror well in press coverage. He was also used as a return specialist in college.

With J.C. Jackson’s status this upcoming season up in the air, the Chargers need to add more depth at cornerback. Thomas would supply the position group with that and be a candidate to return kicks.

Saints schedule Top 30 pre-draft visit with UAB running back DeWayne McBride

The Saints have scheduled a Top 30 pre-draft visit with UAB running back DeWayne McBride, a mid-round prospect in the 2023 NFL draft:

The New Orleans Saints just added a veteran running back in free agent Jamaal Williams, but they’re not finished improving depth behind Alvin Kamara just yet. Per Matt Zenitz of On3.com, the Saints are one of several teams scheduled to host UAB running back DeWayne McBride.

McBride is projected to be picked in the third or fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, having averaged a blistering 7.2 yards per carry with 36 career touchdown runs. McBride has solid size by NFL standards at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds, but he needs to show teams he can be a factor on passing downs. He’s only caught 5 receptions in his college career and logged just 130 snaps in pass protection.

New Orleans has a strong tandem in Kamara and Williams, but depth behind them leaves something to be desired — backups Eno Benjamin and Derrick Gore are returning for 2023, and that’s it. If Kamara is suspended for six or more games, as is expected, Williams could use some help shouldering the load. Adding a prospect like McBride in the middling rounds would make a lot of sense.

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Offensive lineman William Parker enrolls at UAB, discusses time with Vols

Offensive lineman William Parker enrolls at UAB and discusses his time with the Vols.

Former Tennessee offensive lineman William Parker has enrolled at UAB.

“A pair of really big transfer portal recruiting gets for UAB: Offensive lineman William Parker from Tennessee and outside linebacker Desmond Little of LSU,” Steve Irvine of 1819 News announced. “Both are already enrolled in school and have been working with the team. Very important additions.”

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Parker appeared in four games for Tennessee from 2021-22. He came to the Vols from Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville, Tennessee.

Parker enrolled early at Tennessee in January 2021.

The Vols fired head coach Jeremy Pruitt on Jan. 18, 2021. Josh Heupel was hired as Tennessee’s head coach on Jan. 27, 2021.

“I got recruited by Pruitt and came in with Heupel,” Parker told 1819 News. “It was a whole new world for me. Coming from high school, straight into head coach gone, new head coach. It was like I didn’t know what’s going on.”

Parker’s entire interview with 1819 News can be read here.

An inside look at VFL Mark Ingram’s accomplishments as UAB’s athletics director

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

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Report: Georgia football support staffer takes coaching job at UAB

Georgia quality control coach Eddie Gordon takes job at UAB

Per a report from Graham Coffey of Dawgs Central, Georgia support staffer Eddie Gordon has accepted the position of offensive line coach at UAB on Trent Dilfer’s staff.

Gordon was regarded as one of Kirby Smart’s top off-field analysts during the Bulldogs’ back-to-back title runs and has worked under UGA offensive line coaches Sam Pittman, Matt Luke and Stacy Searels.

Gordon played his collegiate football at Louisiana-Lafeyette. He acted as a graduate assistant at UGA before being promoted to an analyst role this previous offseason.

UAB vs Miami University HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl Prediction Game Preview

UAB vs Miami University game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl Championship Week game on Friday, December 16

UAB vs Miami University prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl, Friday, December 16

UAB vs Miami University HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl Prediction Game Preview

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UAB vs Miami University How To Watch

Date: Friday, December 16
Game Time: 11:30 am ET
Venue: Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, NP
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: UAB (6-6), UAB (6-6)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

UAB vs Miami University HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl 5 Things To Know

– It’s one of the funkier bowl games with the pressure of being first to get rolling. The matchup was determined weeks ago – with both teams needing time to prep everything for the trip to the Bahamas. The winner finishes with a winning season, the loser doesn’t. For either of the two programs that were supposed to be in the mix for their respective conference championships and weren’t, 7-6 wouldn’t be a bad way to finish.

– It’s just the sixth bowl appearance for UAB, not counting the 2020 Gasparilla Bowl that got canceled. It’s 2-3 in bowls after winning the 2021 Independence last year over BYU.

– Miami University is 8-5 in bowls and 1-2 under head coach Chuck Martin, winning the Frisco Football Classic last season over North Texas 27-14. However, seven of first 13 bowl appearances came in 1986 or earlier with the Martin era representing four of the programs bowl games since 2010.

– The Bahamas Bowl has generally been solid. Two times it’s been among the best bowls of the season, wasn’t bad three times, got canceled in 2020, and was totally miserable the two of the three game the MAC team won incising Ohio’s 41-6 win over UAB in 2017.

– UAB doesn’t have any key transfers yet, but the coaching situation is in a holding pattern with Trent Dilfer set to take over once this is done. Bryan Vincent will remain on for the bowl. Miami University QB Brett Gabbert was in the transfer portal and then he wasn’t, but he’s been hurt most of the year. Aveon Smith has been the main man outside of a few games in the middle of the season.

HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

Why Miami University Will Win The HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl

The RedHawks come into this playing well, winning three of their last four games including a clutch 18-17 performance over Ball State to get bowl eligible.

They don’t have a high-powered attack, but they’re good for around 200 passing yards per game without a slew of big mistakes – just one interception in the last six games – and they’re at their best when they get the ground game rolling.

They lost to Buffalo when the rushing attack rocked, but that’s been it for being on the wrong side when they’re powering away. Led by QB Aveon Smith and a rotation of young backs, Miami is 5-1 when running for 120 yards or more and 1-5 when they don’t.

The UAB run defense has been a disappointment finishing 94th in the nation partly because the line doesn’t do much of anything to get in the backfield. The team is 2-5 when allowing more than 140 yards and only allowed fewer than 120 four times.

CFN Experts Picks: Bowls December 16th-19th

Why UAB Will Win The HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl

The Miami offense isn’t going to crank up 45 points with any sort of high-flying craziness. It’s about controlling the clock, running well, and not making any big mistakes. The problem with that is the inability to keep things moving – they’re awful on third downs.

UAB has the ability to crank up the points fast and turn the lights out. It might be inconsistent, but it was able to keep up in the 44-38 loss to UTSA, hung up 41 on North Texas, and overall stepped it up over the final month when it needed to go on a run to get bowl eligible.

Yes, Miami can run, but UAB has the star of the show in the nation’s leading rusher, DeWayne McBride. He averaged 155 yards per game, ran for a 1,713 yards despite missing the opener and getting stuffed by LSU.

Miami’s run defense led the MAC and should be able to hold up a bit, but …

HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History

NEXT: What’s Going To Happen, UAB vs Miami University Prediction, HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl History

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Lipscomb Academy targeting Jason Witten to replace Trent Dilfer as head coach

According to numerous reports, the Mustangs are now targetting former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten to replace Dilfer.

The Lipscomb Academy (Tenn.) varsity football team could be going from one famous former NFL player as their head coach to another.

Trent Dilfer had been the team’s head coach for the last four seasons, but a few weeks ago, he accepted an offer from UAB to fill their head coach opening. Before coaching and a broadcast career at ESPN, Dilfer went 58-55 as a starting quarterback in the NFL from 1994-2007.

According to numerous reports, the Mustangs are now targeting former Cowboys tight end Jason Witten to replace Dilfer.

Witten played a remarkable 271 games in the NFL, most of them for Dallas. He retired after the 2020 season, having made 11 Pro Bowl teams and getting two All-Pro nods.

After he was done playing, Witten tried his hand at broadcasting – spending one season as an analyst on ESPN’s Monday night crew. That didn’t work out too well, though.

Since then, Witten has been serving as the head football coach for Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. This past season he led them to a 10-2 record and won Coach of the Year in Texas Private Region after going 2-8 in his first year.

As for Lipscomb, they finished the 2022 season with a perfect 13-0 record. According to Sports Illustrated, the school is flying Witten in to convince him and the job is reportedly his if he wants it.

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