Pine Bluff’s Jalen Dabner wanted to stay close to home and still participate in the activities he enjoys.
He got just that as he will attend Arkansas-Pine Bluff and will be a walk-on for the football and baseball teams.
“I chose UAPB because I like the environment and I wanted to stay home,” said the Pine Bluff native. “I know a lot of people out there and it’s a pretty cool place to be.”
Dabner was a tailback for the Pine Bluff football team and is an outfielder for the baseball team. During the football season, Dabner ran for 920 yards, according to coach Bobby Bolding, as the Zebras made it to the 6A state semifinals.
Bolding said he is very happy to see Dabner go on to play at the next level.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“He is a great kid and comes from a good family and he is going to work his butt off,” he said. “He knows how to win, has been in a winning program and he has great speed.”
According to coach Greg Easter, Dabner is batting right at .300 and has double-digit steals on the season for the baseball team.
“Jalen has done a good job for us in the outfield the last three years and he can go and get it,” he said. “He is going to beat out a lot of infield hits and he can put some pressure on some folks.”