UAB 2023 position preview: Middle linebacker

By Evan Dudley
Aside from running backs and defensive backs, middle linebacker is arguably one of the most consistent positions for the UAB football team during its recent renaissance.
The Blazers return 10 total starters -- five on offense and four on defense – but must replace four players in the defensive center that helped define the role for the program the last few years.
Noah Wilder, Tyler Thomas and Reynard Ellis combined to start every game in the 2022 season and Deshaun Oliver’s potential was cut short due to injury after contributing on a high level beforehand. Former Alabama transfer Jackson Bratton has taken the burden of leadership upon himself and leads a fresh but talented group of linebackers under new defensive coordinator Sione Ta’ufo’ou.
Departed: Noah Wilder, Tyler Thomas, Reynard Ellis, Deshaun Oliver
Returning starter(s): N/A
Other returning players: Jackson Bratton, Jr* -- TaMarious Brown, Jr* -- Reise Collier, Sr -- Charlie Goode, Fr* -- Will Sorrells, So* -- Brandon Franklin, Fr*
Spring/Summer arrivals: James Smyre, So -- Everett Roussaw, Fr
2023 position preview: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | OLB | LB | CB | S | ST
Outlook: The Blazers lost an immense amount of experience at linebacker and none more so than UAB’s third all-time leading tackler Noah Wilder (339), who along with Tyler Thomas and Reynard Ellis, combined for 236 tackles (13 for loss) and 3.5 sacks last season. Not only that, Deshaun Oliver chose to medically retire after missing last season with an injury but remains with the program as a defensive graduate assistant. He made six starts in 13 games while amassing 33 tackles (3 for loss), two sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Jackson Bratton, a former 4-star prospect and Alabama transfer, is set to take up the responsibilities of leading the linebacker corps after shadowing Wilder last year in the former’s first season on the Southside. The Muscle Shoals native appeared in every game and produced 31 tackles while notching a career-high nine stops in the regular-season finale at Louisiana Tech.
Reise Collier transferred from the junior college ranks last season, posting five tackles and a sack before utilizing the four-game redshirt rule, and will find plenty of work behind Bratton with quick striking ability.
TaMarious Brown has five appearances (3 tackles) to his name but do not discount the redshirt junior after he bided his time behind Taylor and Ellis. It’ll be fierce competition at the Will position and Brown will have to contend with promising true freshman Everett Roussaw and last year’s special teams standout Charlie Goode, both of whom had plenty of valuable reps during the spring.
Roussaw and Marshall transfer James Smyre were a part of the early signing period haul for UAB’s new coaching staff and enrolled early to take part in spring practice. Brandon Franklin and Will Sorrells have yet to appear in a game and will continue to develop under the new coaching staff.
Battle to WATCH: Bratton has a solid lock on the Mike position but the Will spot is in need of a new rotation following the departures of Tyler Thomas and Reynard Ellis, both of whom last year combined for 125 tackles (8 for loss) and three sacks. Charlie Goode had a great spring practice running with the first and second teams, along with TaMarious Brown, but don’t count out talented true freshman Everett Roussaw.
Keep an Eye on: Roussaw. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound true freshman out of Atlanta enrolled early and made quite the impression during spring practice. It’s almost a certainty that he’ll crack the lineup this season, but to what extent depends on his performance in fall camp after learning the ropes of the system in the spring.
Projected depth chart:
(MIKE) Jackson Bratton, Jr*
Reise Collier, Sr
James Smyre, So OR Will Sorrells, So*
(WILL) TaMarious Brown, Jr* OR Charlie Goode, Fr*
Everett Roussaw, Fr
Brandon Franklin, Fr*