Kameran Shanks was committed to Liberty for six months during the latter stages of his recruitment, one that picked up steam late when his legendary speed became more widespread, but assumed the mantle of the first signing-day flip for Trent Dilfer as the head coach of the UAB football program.
“Coach Dilfer came two days before signing day and convinced me to switch over,” Shanks said. “I’ve got my faith in him and he’s delivered on everything.”
The Blazers return a plethora of weapons at the receiving position and Shanks has made a case to be included in the opening-day mix as UAB wraps up its final few practices ahead of the annual spring game and showcase, Saturday, April 6, at the UAB Football Operations Complex in Birmingham.
“He’s been trying to get better and better every single day and it started last year,” UAB offensive analyst Austin Appleby said. “He was a developmental guy but we knew pretty early what we had. This offseason, especially this winter, he went on a mission and changed his body. He’s put on the armor so to speak.”
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Shanks, a Prattville native, enjoyed a productive career for the Lions and was named an ASWA Class 7A first-team athlete due to his do-everything status for the Lions. He had 38 receptions for 756 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season, including three kickoff returns and one punt return for scores.
For his three-year prep career, Shanks amassed 100 catches for 2,052 yards and 27 touchdowns and had 1,079 return yards and six touchdowns. He finished with 142 total touches for 3,148 all-purpose yards and 33 total touchdowns, including two 2-point conversions.
“He’s versatile and we’re always looking for versatile players,” Dilfer said. “He’s a tough kid, a smart kid, and has ability to make plays. He’s got a lot going for him.”
While considered a prized 11th-hour recruit by the coaching staff, Shanks was in need of growth from a physical standpoint -- outside of his blazing speed -- and added more muscle to his 5-foot-8, 180-pound frame during the offseason conditioning program.
Shanks saw the field in four games during his first season on the Southside, returning five kickoffs for 93 yards, and utilized the redshirt rule to hone his skills and adjust to a student-athlete nutrition and strength program.
“Once you get into college, everything changes and everything is fast-paced,” Shanks said. “I wanted to get better at everything. Blocking. Route running. If you want the ball, you have to block. Speed plays a big factor but I still got to have all of my technique down.”
The Blazers lost 50.3 percent of its receiving production from last season, due to the gradation of Tejhaun Palmer and Jermaine Brown Jr. and portal exits from Samario Rudolph (Jacksonville State) and Fred Farrier II (Kentucky), but return a deep and talented receiving corps capable of going as many as 10 deep down the roster.
UAB finished last season ranked 18th in passing offense (288.9 ypg) and provided more than enough opportunities in averaging more than 35 passing attempts per game, exemplified by Jacob Zeno setting the UAB single-season record for completions (279) while ranking seventh nationally in completions per game (25.4).
“We go hard every day and push each other to get better,” Shanks said. “It gives everybody a chance to go make a play and show what they got. I like the way we throw the ball because it gives everybody a shot.”
T.J. Jones, Iverson “Strap” Hooks and Brandon Buckhaulter are the most experienced receivers on the team, along with Chattanooga transfer Jamoi Mayes and Malachi Holt-Bennett, but more than half of the group are underclassmen.
Amare Thomas had a breakout season last year, setting the UAB single-season reception record for a freshman, and BJ Hawkins and fellow redshirt freshman Corri Milliner are set to join the fold.
Shanks has impressed throughout spring practice, even hauling in a touchdown during a scrimmage last week, and can line up at any position depending on the matchup.
“They’re gifted, they’re talented and they all bring something different to the room,” Appleby said. “They’re incredibly diverse in their skill sets and we plan on using them all and feature what they do best. It frees us up in terms of play-calling and game-planning because we have all these weapons at our disposal and we want to create a nightmare for the defenses that we play.”