Malachi Holt-Bennett never met Tejhaun Palmer before joining the UAB football team, but his initial interaction with the elder statesman of the receiving corps was similar to long-lost cousins reuniting at the family BBQ.

They joked. They laughed. They broke bread.

“When I first came into the locker room, it felt like a family,” Holt-Bennet said. “Everyone was talking, no one was acting shy and they welcomed with open arms.”

The reunion was not a solitary occasion, though, three other spring enrollees — Auburn transfer Dazalin Worsham, Navarro College transfer BJ Hawkins Jr. and true freshman Amare Thomas — join Holt-Bennett under the experienced wings of Palmer as the program ushers in a new era on the Southside.

“It’s good having them because they’re good receivers,” Palmer said. “Competition brings out the best in people. We’re going to compete and it’ll bring out the best in all of us.”

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The Blazers lost 30.1 percent of its receiving production the last two seasons with the departure of Trea Shropshire, who accumulated 82 receptions for 1,936 yards and 15 touchdowns in three seasons (33 games), but return a core group equipped to evolve the UAB passing game beyond a boom-or-bust mentality.

Palmer, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound NFL prototype receiver, is one of two seniors leading the position group this spring and acclimating well to an increased role as teacher and mentor bestowing knowledge to the younger masses.

“I’m usually a leader by example but I’m doing it more vocally and helping the younger guys be elite,” Palmer said. “It’s all about encouraging them. If they make a bad play, keep it positive. I don’t get on them too bad and give them confidence.”

Despite the loss of Shropshire and two other contributors, UAB head coach Trent Dilfer hit the transfer portal and high school ranks to build a quality class of pass catchers in his first foray into the cutthroat world of college recruiting.

Holt-Bennett was one of the obvious headliners of the portal class — recruited by UAB’s previous staff while a senior at local Fairfield — and signed with Indiana during the 2021 cycle, where he amassed seven catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in 14 games with the Hoosiers.

“After I went into the portal, I spoke to Coach Dilfer and we had a good conversation,” Holt-Bennet said. “We talked about the guy I am, the guy he is and the coach he is, and what he looks for and expects from receivers.”

The expectations for Holt-Bennett and all newcomers are high but Palmer’s responsibilities are a high priority in developing a fresh-faced position group.

“He’s a leader and starting to open up more vocally,” Holt-Bennet said. “We talk every day, even when we’re not on the field, and he keeps me held to a standard.”

Not only has Palmer earned the respect and attention of the new arrivals, but fellow seniors T.J. Jones and Samario Rudolph and redshirt sophomore Fred Farrier II are pulling their weight as upperclassmen and returning contributors.

Jones was the third-leading receiver for UAB last year, racking up 29 receptions for 231 yards and a touchdown, and Rudolph has been a playmaker since helping clinch the 2020 C-USA west division title in the regular-season finale at Rice. Farrier had 11 catches for 123 yards and score in his first season on the field and showcased his potential in the latter half of last season

“They’re definitely leaders too,” Palmer said. “They’ve been through it all and know how the game goes. They’re elite too. We’re trying to be an elite receiving corps.”

Dilfer also added Worsham to the mix, a Hewitt-Trussville product that spent the first two years of his career at Miami before spending last season in Auburn. Hawkins, a Texas native, amassed 40 receptions for 789 yards and six touchdowns in two years (20 games) at Navarro College and Pinson Valley’s Amare Thomas is making a case for himself as of three early prep enrollees.

A trio of true freshmen – Prattville’s Kameron Shanks, Ben Russell’s Corri Milliner and Southwest’s (Texas) Jaylyn Ferguson — are set to join the four midyear enrollees in the fall.

“Everyone is helping each other out — competing and working,” Holt-Bennet said. “It’s a brotherhood and doesn’t matter who gets the starting position. We want to work and we want to win.”