The UAB Blazers have only been back for what feels like a few years, yet our 2022 NFL Draft scouting reports are full of Blazers. That’s a testament to the ability of Bill Clark and his staff for their resurgence of the UAB program. They’re headlined by Gerrit Prince at tight end, but there’s value throughout the group.
Here are the full scouting reports on the UAB Blazers with eyes on the 2022 NFL Draft.
UAB 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
UAB only returned to football in 2017, yet they sported seven former athletes on NFL rosters this past season. This list will certainly increase in the coming years as more UAB prospects enter the league.
Prince finished his UAB career with a bang, hauling in 36 receptions for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2021. The big man also shined at the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Aside from Prince, the Blazers have several other players to know for the 2022 NFL Draft. Tyree Turner has 14 career sacks to his name. He transferred to UAB in 2020 after five years at South Alabama. Also on defense, Will Boler and Antonio Moultrie are willing special-teams contributors as well as solid run defenders for their positions.
Their most likely future NFLer outside of Prince is Kadeem Telfort, however. The 6’8″, 340-pound tackle prospect is a mountain of a man with bad intentions. He’s solid in all facets and could hear his name called even earlier than Prince.
Alex Wright, DE
Positives: Long, fluid defensive front-seven player who gets a lot of pressure up the field. Mostly stood over tackle at UAB, displays good change-of-direction skills, and easily moves about the field. Rarely off his feet, bends off the edge, and can flatten to get down the line of scrimmage in pursuit. Plays more athletic than his testing numbers, effectively uses his hands to protect himself, and displays a solid burst to the action.
Negatives: Must develop more moves to get off blocks. Rarely used in space and looks unnatural dropping off the line. Turned in a terrible pro day workout.
Analysis: Wright turned in a productive junior campaign, then decided to enter the draft, which was a mistake in my opinion. He’s a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end who must add bulk and power to his game and step up the intensity, or he’ll be looking for a new line of work.
Want more information on Wright? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Alex Wright, UAB DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Gerrit Prince, TE
Positives: Athletic tight end who is swiftly moving up draft boards. Smooth, gets downfield as a pass catcher, and adjusts to grab errant throws and make receptions in stride. Shows good route discipline, keeps the play in bounds after the catch, and extends to snatch the ball out of the air. Finds the open spot in the middle of the field, extends his hands, and possesses good hand-eye coordination. Fires off the snap into blocks, works to stay square, and bends his knees.
Negatives: Built more like a possession receiver than a tight end. Average blocking strength.
Analysis: Prince was all but ignored by NFL scouts entering the season, yet now he has a real chance to be drafted somewhere on Day 3. He’s a move tight end prospect with the potential to make a Sunday roster.
Kadeem Telfort, OT
Positives: Massive college left tackle who projects to the right side in the NFL. Moves well for a bigger lineman and makes excellent use of angles as well as body positioning in pass protection. Quick out to the second level and gets a pad on defenders. Stout at the point, picks up stunts and blitzes thrown by the opposition, and jolts defenders with explosive hand punch. Gets movement run blocking.
Negatives: Struggles handling speed rushers off the edge. Lacks quick and fluid footwork in pass protection. Has lapses on the field.
Analysis: Telfort is a size prospect who shows surprising athleticism for a massive blocker. At the top of his game, he possesses all the tools necessary to be a backup right tackle in the NFL, but Telfort must consistently play at a high level.
Kelle Sanders, LB
Positives: Nice-sized linebacker who flashes ability. Resilient, keeps his feet moving, and stays with the action. Works his hands to protect himself, easily changes direction, and possesses a closing burst. Breaks down well, stands up blockers, and does a nice job setting the edge. Possesses good movement skills.
Negatives: Easily slowed by blocks and out-positioned from the action. Does not consistently play to his size. Minimally productive the past two seasons.
Analysis: Sanders looks the part and occasionally plays to it, but he must elevate his play and start to produce on the football field.
Tyler Taylor, LB
Positives: Athletic prospect who flies around the field. Breaks down well, quick to read and diagnose, and quickly scrapes to the action. Possesses a closing burst, plays sideline to sideline, and fires into space to make plays. Owns terrific size and speed.
Negatives: Minimally productive the past two seasons. Better making plays sideline to sideline or up the field than in reverse.
Analysis: Taylor is an athletic linebacker who displayed more flashes than consistency. He needs to elevate his game and really produce this summer to make an active roster, yet at the very least, he should get practice-squad consideration.
Tyree Turner, DT
Positives: Quick three-technique prospect who bends his knees, plays with excellent leverage, and works his hands throughout the action. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step and moves well laterally. Quick when asked to twist or stunt. Plays with leverage, keeps his feet moving, and immediately locates the ball.
Negatives: Lacks size and gets engulfed at the point or easily knocked to the ground. Minimally productive last season, though he was out of position at nose tackle.
Analysis: Turner possesses the athleticism and style to be used in a three-technique spot, though he does come with scheme limitations.
Will Boler, LB
Positives: Explosive and willing run defender who is best playing downhill. Instinctive, quickly reads and diagnoses the action, and gets out to the flanks to help cornerbacks. Quick up the field and gives effort defending the run. Stays with coverage assignments.
Negatives: At times does too much hitting rather than wrap-up tackling. Lacks a quick closing burst to the ball out of his plant.
Analysis: Boler is a nice-sized safety who is best making plays up the field. He lacks upside and next-level speed, which will make it difficult for him.