‘Our emphasis is on high school’: Inside Alex Mortensen’s recruiting vision for UAB football

Alex Mortensen is no stranger to the intensity of top-tier talent acquisition. Having spent nine seasons on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama from 2014-22, he witnessed firsthand the mechanics of building a perennial powerhouse. During his tenure in Tuscaloosa, Alabama finished first or second in the national recruiting rankings in eight of those nine seasons.

A New Philosophy for the Blazers

Now at the helm of the UAB program, Mortensen is shifting the Blazers' recruiting strategy. In an exclusive interview with 205focus.com, Mortensen underscored that his primary objective for his first full cycle is prioritizing high school prospects.

"Our emphasis is really on high school recruiting, especially for next year’s class," Mortensen said. "Not to say we’re not working ahead on the subsequent classes, but that’s really the emphasis. One of our goals is to be able to tilt the percentage a little more in the direction of high school recruiting in regards to how many players, in terms of… where the players we sign come from."

Combating the Transfer Portal Era

The push toward high school talent comes as a pivot for UAB, which has heavily leaned on the transfer portal in recent years. Over the last five seasons, the Blazers have signed an average of just 13 high school prospects. The reliance on transfers was particularly evident this year, as 41 of the team's 49 newcomers arrived via the portal.

June marks a pivotal month for Mortensen’s plan. With the program's first prospect camp scheduled for Tuesday, the coaching staff is aiming to cultivate deeper relationships with local talent. Mortensen believes his roots in Atlanta and his existing connections within a four-to-five-hour radius of Birmingham provide a strong foundation to build upon.

The Saban Blueprint

Mortensen is actively implementing a structural approach learned under Saban, establishing a system of checks and balances within the recruiting and personnel departments. By fostering a collaborative evaluation process, he aims to elevate the long-term potential of the roster.

"We had a really good process at Alabama," Mortensen explained. "Everyone kind of has a different role in the evaluation process, and then there’s kind of a system in which prospects work up or down that process, and now we’re in the process of trying to get that in place here."

Looking Ahead

Beyond the recruiting trail, Mortensen is focused on elevating UAB’s profile through improved on-field results. Following three consecutive losing seasons, he is banking on the idea that high school signees allow for better development and program stability. He remains confident in the appeal of Birmingham, the school's state-of-the-art facilities, and the prestige of the American Conference.

The Blazers look to start the season strong when they face Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 3. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast on the Big Ten Network.