Mac McWilliams is not one to shy away from adversity.

Despite a promising start in the last two years, the UAB cornerback is yet to complete a full season on the field due to untimely injuries suffered midway through both campaigns.

He has returned to the fold each time, stronger and faster, and is eager to cap a full run of the gauntlet.

“I just want to come out and have a healthy season, for real, that’s the number one priority,” McWilliams said. “Number two, come out here, work hard every day and get my team ready.”

McWilliams is the Blazers’ only cornerback with extensive playing experience on the FBS level and remaining upright this season will be critical in leading a unit judged by a heavy standard.

“He’s got to stay healthy, we’ve talked a lot about that,” UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said. “We’re doing what we can on our end and he’s doing what he can on his end. Football is a dangerous game, things happen, and hopefully, it doesn’t happen to him. He’s an NFL player. He knows it, I know it and scouts know it. But to be an NFL player, you have to play a lot of snaps and stay healthy.”

Read more on UAB fall camp:

Kevin Penn and Fish McWilliams taking charge to UAB’s defensive line

Nikia Eason Jr. leading UAB’s fresh-faced pass rushers

Ike Rowell parlaying impressive spring into fall intensity

Luke Jones laying early claim to vacant LG position

McWilliams flashed his potential in his true freshman season, playing four games and utilizing the redshirt rule, and started the first six games of the 2021 season as a redshirt freshman. He succumbed to an injury in UAB’s win over FAU, the same game that former cornerback TD Marshall ended his career, but returned to play a few snaps against UTSA before resting in the season finale.

Although he did not play for a majority of the Blazers’ 31-28 upset of No. 13 BYU in the 2021 Independence Bowl, McWilliams was involved in one of the most crucial plays of the game when he recovered a fumble while BYU was driving for a go-ahead score in the waning moments.

“It shows his mental toughness, he loves the game,” UAB special teams and secondary coach Kenneth Gilstrap said. “When guys love the game, they always find a way back on the field. They’ll gut it out unless it’s physically impossible. But he knows how to push past the threshold, mentally and physically, and he takes that approach every day like he’s chasing something.”

McWilliams, once again, was a lock at corner to open the 2022 season but suffered another injury in UAB’s loss at Western Kentucky. The Blazers were ranked second nationally in passing yards allowed at the time of McWilliams’ injury and finished the season ranked 21st in the nation (194.9 ypg) in pass defense.

Despite not returning at any point in the season, McWilliams’ talent and production were enough to lure poachers from the transfer portal.

Following spring practice, McWilliams went to social media, in a now-deleted post, to declare his loyalty to the Blazers. Although he did not specify any particular program, the redshirt junior confirmed he was a target of individuals attempting to persuade him to enter the transfer portal.

McWilliams was not fooled by the promise of greener pastures.

“I’m a very loyal guy,” he said. “Once I’m somewhere, I like to stay there and give it my all. This is where I came to play and this is where I’m going to stay.”

Retaining McWilliams was crucial for the Blazers and Gilstrap, considering the losses of former cornerback Starling Thomas V to the NFL and standout safety Jaylen Key to Alabama, and the Florida native’s experience is paramount for a unit that brought in plenty of help from the portal itself.

“It’s important because he knows how to practice, he knows how to play and he knows how to prepare,” Gilstrap said. “He’s a walking example of how you approach the game.”

Along with a litany of freshmen signees, Dilfer and staff signed two transfer corners in BJ Mayes (Incarnate Word) and AD Diamond (Auburn). While the latter has little experience on the field, Mayes amassed 53 tackles (3 for loss), 14 pass breakups and an interception in two seasons at Incarnate Word.

“Those cats, they’re going to come out here and work hard every day,” McWilliams said. “When you’re a transfer, you come in and don’t know anything, but those guys came in and were right in sync with us.”

Tasked with leading a cornerback room composed of returners, transfers and freshmen, McWilliams has the fortunate experience of playing alongside Thomas the last two seasons. They started 13 games together and Thomas was instrumental in teaching and supporting McWilliams through both his successes and struggles.

“He was a big brother to me — even though I had a big brother already — in the defensive backfield,” McWilliams said. “He gave me a lot of motivation and made me want to work even harder. I’m proud of what he’s doing in the NFL and we still keep in contact every day.”

Even with losing an important mentor such as Thomas, there is still a familial presence on which McWilliams can lean. Regardless of a decision to enter the NFL Draft, McWilliams will play with his older brother, and UAB defensive lineman, Fish McWilliams on his final season on the Southside.

“He’s a real good guy, a good brother,” McWilliams said. “I just want to see him ball out this year and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure I give my all to him. Whether or not he decides to go to the NFL, or whatever he wants to do, as long he knows his little brother gave it his all for him.”