UAB Football Rocked After Ex-Kentucky Player Allegedly Stabs Two Teammates Hours Before Kickoff

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A University of Alabama at Birmingham football player — and former University of Kentucky recruit — has been arrested after allegedly stabbing two teammates just hours before their scheduled matchup against the University of South Florida.

UAB officials confirmed the attack happened Saturday morning at the school’s Football Operations Building, leaving two Blazers players hospitalized in stable condition. The violent incident occurred on the same day as the team’s final home game of the season.

Suspect Identified as Redshirt Freshman Daniel Mincey

Police arrested Daniel Mincey, a 6-foot-4 offensive lineman who transferred to UAB in May after beginning his college career at Kentucky. Jail records show he was booked on aggravated assault and attempted murder charges Saturday afternoon.

The university has not formally confirmed Mincey as the suspect, but he appears to be the only player arrested in connection with the incident.

Attempts to reach his family or legal representatives were unsuccessful.

Team Played Despite Chaos — Several Players Sat Out

Interim head coach Alex Mortensen said the team chose to move forward with the game to honor its seniors, though several players refused to participate due to the shock and emotional impact of the attack.

“We focused on our normal game-day routines,” Mortensen said, adding that counseling services were made available to players shaken by the violence.

Details about what led to the stabbings have not been released. Mortensen declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation.

Two Victims Expected to Recover

Both injured players were treated after the attack and are currently in stable condition, according to UAB officials. Their names have not been released.

The sudden violence inside the football facility sent ripples through the team just hours before kickoff — and the impact showed.
The Blazers fell 48–18 to South Florida, dropping to 3–8 on the season with one game remaining.

Their final matchup is scheduled for Nov. 29 at Tulsa.

A Troubling Moment for a Program in Transition

The attack comes during a difficult season for UAB, raising serious questions about player safety, internal conflicts, and oversight inside college athletic programs.

As investigators continue to piece together what happened inside the Football Operations Building, players and families are left searching for answers.

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