MARK EDWARDS

Courtland's Stanley still plays to win as UAB standout

BIRMINGHAM — For LaDarrius Stanley, playing football at UAB isn't all that much different from when he played at old Courtland High, which is now R.A. Hubbard.

"We were a small 1A school," Stanley said during a break from classes Monday afternoon, "but we wanted to win every game, no matter if we were playing 1A, 5A or 6A schools.

"If we didn't win, you weren't going to run over us. You would know you played Courtland that day."

At UAB, Stanley is playing for a school without a long history of football tradition, and the Blazers aren't a college football power playing in a big-time conference. In fact, they didn't begin playing Division I-A until 1996.

"But if you play us, you're going to know that you played UAB," Stanley said.

Unfortunately for Stanley, he hasn't played in a whole lot of winning ballgames at UAB. At Courtland, he always played on winning teams — in fact, he and his teammates won a state championship in 1999.

At UAB, he has played on only one winning team — the 2004 squad went 7-5. This year, the Blazers are 1-4 under first-year head coach Neil Callaway.

Even so, Stanley has provided UAB with a valuable do-it-all lineman, and even in Callaway's short time on campus, the Blazers' new coach can see that.

"He's a great young man to have around," Callaway said.

Stanley played defensive tackle his first year at UAB before moving to offensive tackle the next two years. He played tight end last year and then moved to nose guard this year because the Blazers had such a shortage of defensive linemen.

He rotates regularly with freshman Tim Davis, who is 6-foot-0 and 260 pounds and gives the Blazers a speed option. Stanley is 6-3 and 310 pounds and provides the muscle. Typically, Stanley will play one series, Davis the next, and then they'll rotate again.

Switching positions so often isn't unusual for Stanley. At Courtland, he played defensive end, defensive tackle, nose guard, offense tackle and a little fullback.

"I just want to play ball," Stanley said. "As long as I'm on the field, I'm cool. I like contact. I like helping the team."

A fifth-year senior, Stanley gives UAB leadership it needs. The Blazers are a young team. Of the 48 players listed on the depth chart, not including special teams players, UAB has 16 freshmen and 13 sophomores.

Stanley is one of only six seniors who is on the first- or second-team defense.

"I try to keep an eye on the younger guys and help them," Stanley said. "With a new coaching staff, we're all learning, but I can help the young guys off the field.

"They might not understand that it's up to them whether they go to class. In high school, we were forced to go to class, but here, you have to grow up, be your own man and force yourself to go to class.

"I let them know that you're starting life here. You don't want to start it the wrong way."

Stanley has an easy time pointing to his biggest collegiate highlight — a 3-yard touchdown catch in last season's 34-33 loss at Rice. It was his only reception as a tight end known for blocking rather than catching passes.

"I loved that play," Stanley said. "Who expects a 310-pound man to catch the ball for a touchdown?"

For now, Stanley hopes to finish a good senior season, graduate in May and perhaps get a shot with an NFL team wanting a dependable lineman.

After that, he would like to start a career in computers and take more classes toward that goal.

As for UAB, he said he has enjoyed his time in Birmingham. Even with the coaching change and the struggle to win consistently, he would sign with the Blazers again in a heartbeat.

"I would do it all again," he said, smiling. "I've had a lot of fun here."