Payton Kirkland brings SEC-sized upside to UAB’s offensive line
At UAB in 2026, Payton Kirkland is a big-frame, high-ceiling offensive lineman at 6-foot-6 and around 350 pounds, with blue-chip recruiting pedigree and multiple years of eligibility left. He was a three-star prospect and ranked as a top-40 offensive tackle by ESPN in the 2023 class, which tells you the talent was always real; the appeal is his length, power, and developmental upside rather than a huge stat line. He has had a stop-and-start college path, including limited game action and a transfer history, but if he settles in, he’s the kind of mauler who can help a team get nastier up front.
