When UAB coach Neil Callaway took over in December 2006, the program was already low on numbers, depth and experience. Things only got worse when several players left or flunked out.

The Blazers finished 2-10 and beat only one NCAA FBS opponent, but now they're back with 11 new junior college signees, 45 returning letterwinners and 19 returning starters.

Still, those numbers will still be weighed down by first- and second-year players and the Blazers still have a lot of work to do on both sides of the line after finishing 104th in rushing offense and last among 119 teams in rushing defense last season.

The Blazers expect JUCO transfers to help on both sides of the line but could still be heavily dependent on three sophomores on the defensive front and three others on the offensive line.

"We've got to become a more physical football team," Callaway said. "Last year, the lack of physicality on both sides of the ball is something that really hurt us. It is something that we need to improve on tremendously and I think we will. We are a year older and we will have more depth once we get everybody here in the fall."

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