LIVINGSTON, Ala. - With the University of West Alabama Football team opening up their season on Saturday against Fort Valley State, UWA Athletics will preview the team's offensive and defensive groups in a two-part series, beginning with the Tigers' offense.
West Alabama averaged in 31 points per game in 2024, while gaining 374.9 yards per game. The Tigers scored over 30 points in seven of eleven contests, including the final three games of the year.
UWA lost Caeleb Bass, Allen Jones Jr., Bry Webb, Devontae Causey, Khris Binion, Tyler Walker on the offensive side of the ball this past offseason, but brought in a slew of impact transfers to fill the void for Head Coach, Scott Cochran and Offensive Coordinator, Carmen Felus.
QUARTERBACKS
Spencer Areceneaux is undoubtedly the "guy" at QB for West Alabama. Arceneaux started 10 games last season, accumulating 24 total touchdowns and 2,250 total yards. Over the summer, the senior was invited to the Manning Passing Academy as he showcased his skill amongst the elite of all College Football. After a stellar 2024 campaign, coupled with his summer experience at the Manning Passing Academy, Arceneaux is bound to have the biggest season of his career in 2025.
Carter Hankins, a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast, will most likely be the backup while Brendon Byrd provides solid depth. Freshman Nathan Commandor, Rida Ghazzali, and Tyler Pierce will wear the redshirt to begin the year.
RUNNING BACKS
After his play in 2024, Brayden Jenkins is projected to get the most snaps at Running Back this season. Last season, Jenkins averaged 4.2 yards per carry and totaled 254 yards on just 60 carries.
Tyler Smith is the eldest of the group and after not having a large role last year, the Graduate Student is set to contribute in the backfield this season. In 32 carries last year, the Running Back averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Smith possesses a combination of speed, power, and quickness, a mix that bodes well for the position.
Michael Dujon is a talented freshman who has worked his way up the depth chart throughout Fall Camp. In four years at Thompson High School, Dijon accumulated 2,112 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns. As a senior this past year, Dijon rushed for a career-high 1,110 yards and 16 touchdowns. In the last three seasons, the true freshman averaged well over six yards per carry.
Contravious Blanks, Ja'Marian Johnson, and Gavin Brown will all battle for snaps throughout the year, with Blanks potentially moving his way up into the top-three relatively quickly.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Dearrius Nelson is West Alabama's WR1 as we enter Week Zero. Nelson is a Preseason All-GSC selections and leads a group that features returners, TD Parker and Houston Johnson. Transfers, Ryan Peppins, Tyrek Williams, Raymond Cottrell, Jaylon York, Kaden Cupp, and Hunter Hale adds a ton of talent to the Wide Receiver room.
Peppins is set to make his West Alabama debut, after competing with UAB last season. The 5'9" Slot Receiver is a magnet for explosive plays, and will give the Tigers' offense a jolt. As for Williams, he joins UWA after spending time with Johnson C. Smith and is expected to play a big role this Saturday and throughout the season. Cottrell brings in SEC experience after transferring in from Kentucky while York comes in from East Mississippi. Cupp comes to Livingston after a stint with Mississippi College while Hale played for Memphis last season.
There are a lot of new faces in the Wide Receiver room that are expected to make immediate impacts for the Tigers.
TIGHT ENDS & OFFENSIVE LINE
With six active Tight Ends on the roster, UWA returned four of them, while welcoming two transfers. Robert Ellis, Briace McBeth, Gaeton Rellah, and Griffin McLean are the returners, with Tommie Weatherspoon III and Jaxon Colvin embarking on their first year in Livingston.
After losing First Team All-GSC recipient in Caeleb Bass this past offseason, the Tigers have to replace a ton of production. Filling the shoes of Bass will most likely be a group effort, with Weatherspoon leading the way.
On the offensive line, West Alabama will return four of their five starters from this past season. Ben Newton, Brandon Kirksey, Logan Sampson, and TJ Storey are all back for UWA, while adding Mississippi College transfer Barrett Cain and freshmen Louis Snell, Jonathan Flint, Logan McAlister, and Kenneth Dell.
On top of that, redshirt freshman, Mason Hiller has impressed throughout Fall Camp and is set to be a difference maker in 2025.
UWA's O-Line room is deep, giving Offensive Line Coach, Devin Myers, a multitude of options.
With a mix of new faces and returners, West Alabama is ready to debut their 2025 offensive unit this Saturday against Fort Valley State at Legion Field. Kick-off is set for 4:15 p.m.
