Hoover High School alumni Adam Lepkowski arrived at UAB in 2021 as a walk-on looking for an opportunity.
Five years later, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound center has earned a scholarship, become a leader on the Blazers’ offensive line and gained national attention for what he does both on and off the football field.
The latest recognition came Sept. 10, when Lepkowski was named to the 2026 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List, an honor that recognizes leadership with an emphasis on courage, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field. Lepkowski is one of 80 college football players nationally selected for the list.
It adds to a growing list of national recognition for Lepkowski, who was previously named to the 2027 Shriners Children’s 1000 Watch List, the Rimington Trophy Watch List and the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
But some of the work behind those honors has taken place far from the football field.
According to UAB Athletics, Lepkowski has logged more than 100 hours of community service throughout Birmingham over the past three-plus years, volunteering with organizations including Bundles of Hope, Food for Our Journey and Habitat for Humanity.
His service has ranged from food distribution and youth outreach to neighborhood cleanup efforts.
That commitment to service is reflected in two of the honors Lepkowski has received. The Wuerffel Trophy recognizes college football players for their commitment to serving others along with leadership and achievement on the field, while the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award focuses primarily on leadership on and off the field.
Lepkowski’s journey at UAB has also required some perseverance.
After coming to Birmingham from Hoover, he did not appear in a game during his first two seasons. He played in six games with five starts at right guard in 2023, helping the Blazers set a single-season school record with 450 yards of offense per game.
Then came a setback. Lepkowski suffered an injury during training camp and missed the entire 2024 season.
He returned in 2025 to start all 12 games at center and was graded as the best center in the American Conference by PFSN College. Pro Football Focus listed him among the top 50 centers nationally and fourth in the conference.
Lepkowski was later named to the 2026 Rimington Trophy Watch List, which recognizes the nation’s top centers. He was one of only 40 players nationally selected for the preseason list and one of four from the American Conference.
His preseason honors also include First Team All-Conference recognition from Athlon Sports, Second Team All-Conference recognition from Phil Steele and Second Team Group of Six All-America honors from HERO Sports.
Now a veteran on the UAB offensive line, Lepkowski has also taken on the job of helping the players coming behind him. During fall camp, UAB reported that he was working with younger centers Aidan Platt and Kade Martin.
“I’m trying to get them up to speed with me and just try to lead the room better than I found it at the end of the day,” Lepkowski said.
UAB head coach Alex Mortensen has seen that leadership develop.
“He’s exemplified good leadership through having a positive attitude, work ethic and bringing energy to practice and games,” Mortensen said during spring practice. “Further, he’s an intelligent player who makes the guys around him better.”
Lepkowski’s place on the Shriners Children’s 1000 Watch List puts him among players being evaluated for the 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl, which showcases NFL Draft-eligible players before professional scouts, coaches and executives.
The next step in the Jason Witten Award process comes Oct. 13, when 20 semifinalists are scheduled to be announced. Three finalists will be named Dec. 14, and the winner will be honored in spring 2027. The recipient’s school will receive a $10,000 contribution to its athletic scholarship fund from Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation.
For Lepkowski, it is another step in a college career that began as a walk-on and has grown into one marked by perseverance, service and leadership — both on and off the field.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
