UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno ‘like a sponge’ under new coaching staff
If quantity and quality of work in an annual spring game is any indication, Jacob Zeno is set to become the starting quarterback for the UAB football team as the program enters its inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference.
There’s been no formal announcement or anointment ceremony but it seems unlikely Zeno will cede the role in the final week of spring practice and eventually in the fall as the Blazers prepare for the 2023 season.
“It’ll take care of itself,” UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said. “They’re all getting equal reps and we’ll continue to rotate them throughout groups. I’ve been around quarterback stuff a long time, we feel very confident with the guys on the roster and over time the starter will reveal himself.”
Zeno has an excellent case for his candidacy as UAB’s starting quarterback and led the first-team offense with a majority of the reps in the spring game. He finished 19-of-28 passing for 179 yards and an interception, displayed command of the offense and completed 13 straight passes between the first and second quarters.
A San Antonio native and former Baylor transfer, who appeared in six games for the Bears while accounting for 283 total yards and two scores, Zeno transferred to UAB last spring and played in nine games during the 2022 season. He went 0-2 as a starter against FAU and UTSA, throwing for 721 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 89 yards and a score.
Interestingly enough, Zeno was a 2018 finalist at the Elite 11 quarterback camp, where Dilfer spent the past decade as head coach before accepting the UAB position.
“It’s come full circle with having Coach Dilfer coach me,” Zeno said. “We’re trying to win the American Conference and do big things here. You can’t sit back and relive the past. We’ve got a lot of stuff going in that’s going confuse defenses and hopefully put up a lot of points.”
Behind Zeno, Louisiana Tech’s Landry Lyddy was the first quarterback off the bench in the spring game, throwing a touchdown pass to Auburn transfer Dazalin Worsham, and Trace Campbell was hounded in the second half for two interceptions. Lyddy has the best chance of securing the backup position and Campbell is still developing back from a tight end while he was at Ole Miss.
Harrison Barker and Northeast Mississippi transfer Carter Putt received a couple of series in the spring game and should continue to compete with Campbell for a spot on the depth chart. Former East Mississippi transfer Damon Stewart, who performed efficiently in last year’s spring game, announced his decision to enter the transfer portal just days following Thursday’s scrimmage.
“We’re always testing each other and being a positive influence on each other,” Zeno said. “Only one can play at a time so when you’re not in, support the guy that’s on the field.”
Zeno and company have their pick of weapons from which to choose and the running back, receiver and tight end positions are stocked full of experience and young talent.
Tejhaun Palmer is the elder statesman of the receiver group, followed by T.J. Jones, Fred Farrier II and Samario Rudolph, and Terrell McDonald, Bryce Damous, Dallas Payne and J.C. Sivley return at tight end. A batch of midseason enrollees include transfer portal additions Malachi Holt-Bennett (Indiana), Dazalin Worsham (Auburn), BJ Hawkins Jr. (Navarro College) and true freshman Amare Thomas, and the Blazers expect three more prep signees in the fall.
Of course, during the spring game, the running back committee proved their worth in more than just the running game — accounting for almost half of the receptions and more than 100 yards through the air.
“It’s fun throwing to guys like T-Palm, Malachi (Holt-Bennett) and Dazalin (Worsham), and all these guys coming in,” Zeno said. “Our backs, we got 8-Ball (Demetrius Battle), we got Skull (Jermaine Brown), we got Taven (Curry) and (Lee) Beebe; it’s fun and makes my job a whole lot easier getting the playmakers the ball and letting them do their thing. It’ll be interesting.”
Without a doubt, Zeno is the odds-on favorite to win the starting job in his final collegiate season. He’s displayed rapid improvement and development while learning a new offensive system in only three short months; gaining a wealth of knowledge from a staff that includes a Super Bowl-winning quarterback as head coach and budding offensive minds in offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen and quarterbacks coach Nick Coleman, along with a slew of offensive analysts.
“You’re getting coached by a guy that’s been at the top level and knows what it takes to be there and stay there,” Dilfer said. “I’m like a sponge right now, taking everything they’re saying and applying it to my game.”
