The offense improved in offensive coordinator Tony Hull’s first season with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, but the offensive line remained a weakness.
With most of last year’s starters gone, UAPB will lean on transfers this fall as it seeks to fortify the trenches.
Redshirt senior Jeremiah Rodgers is the only returning starter on the offensive line. Rodgers played in 11 games as UAPB’s starting right guard. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke transfer, listed at 6-feet-3 and 290 pounds, earned immediate playing time in his first year with the program.
UAPB had two seniors and a graduate transfer starting up front last season who will not return. Starting center Christon Love was named Second Team All-SWAC for his work last season. Love was one of three UAPB players and the only lineman to receive all-conference honors in 2024.
Rolando Jones, who had previously played center before swapping places with Love, was the only other starting lineman to return from the 2023 season. Notre Dame College (Ohio) graduate transfer Keavius Barnes manned the right tackle position.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Golden Lions didn’t lose any additional linemen during the winter transfer window, but several jumped into the transfer portal during or immediately after spring practice, including starting left guard Courtney Van Buren II, the son of former UAPB and NFL player Courtney Van Buren.
The younger Van Buren transferred to a Football Bowl Subdivision program, Temple.
Backup guard Elijah Harden transferred to Henderson State. Backup tackle Daniel Bostic, a Pine Bluff native, and backup center Jamarkius Garrett also entered the portal late in the spring window.
These departures come after a season in which the offensive line struggled. UAPB ranked eighth in the conference in rushing offense with 115.8 yards per game and gave up a SWAC-worst 43 sacks for 304 yards last season.
Tennessee State sacked UAPB quarterback Mekhi Hagens seven times during the 2024 Southern Heritage Classic, which was tied with two other games as the most sacks allowed by a SWAC team last season.
UAPB allowed five sacks against Alabama A&M and allowed four each in five other games.
Head Coach Alonzo Hampton and his coaches brought in four transfers to help replace the departees and correct last year’s shortcomings.
Lincoln, Pa. transfer Elijah “EJ” Pullins, listed at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, played mostly right guard last year but can also play on the left if Rodgers is to remain on the right.
Pullins was the lone transfer lineman Hull mentioned by name when discussing the offensive line following an April practice. Pullins’ team averaged 132.3 rushing yards per game last year.
Joining him are a pair of junior college transfers from Cisco College in Texas. Aydan Blair, a 6-foot-7, 280-pound junior, played both tackle positions last season.
TyEric Bernal, a 6-foot-3, 330-pound junior, primarily played right guard but could play other positions if needed.
Edward Waters University transfer Jaylon Norman committed to UAPB after spring practice.
Listed at 6-feet-3 and 280 pounds, Norman played a lot of left guard last year but also appeared at tackle.
Other than Rodgers, UAPB brings back three other linemen who appeared in at least four games last year.
Redshirt senior Bryce Lusk, listed at 6-feet-1 and 294 pounds, and 6-feet-2, 286-pound redshirt freshman Jaden White each appeared in five games.
Lusk was listed as a backup tackle, while White was shown as a third-string guard on the depth chart.
Redshirt freshman Randall “Tank” Davis appeared in four games and was listed as another third-string guard.
Davis, a 6-foot, 325-pound product of Little Rock Parkview, came to UAPB as a two-time state champion and was named the most valuable offensive lineman of the 2024 Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game.
UAPB appears to have plenty of options at guard and a couple of tackles with some experience but will need someone to step up at center in 2025.