After starting Tuesday’s practice with a contested catch in the end zone, wide receiver Kareem Burke let everyone within earshot know he was fired up.
Burke’s catch came in a one-on-one drill, which is something University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Coach Alonzo Hampton said he likes doing to start practice.
“What we’re trying to do is just get them started,” Hampton said. “Everybody’s eyes on two people, a defensive player and an offensive player. You get guys going, and that’s what we want to do, man. You want to create excitement. Sometimes, when your body’s a little sore, you gotta do that.”
Burke is one of several UAPB receivers looking to step up this fall with the Golden Lions needing to replace five of their top six pass catchers from last year.
His catch at the start of practice may have been one-upped later in the evening, though.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Graduate student Tyreke Jinks, a tight end, had the highlight of UAPB’s fifth practice of fall camp when he reached over a defender’s head from behind to pull in a pass. Jinks has been with the Golden Lions for the past two years but has yet to play due to multiple injuries.
Hampton said the receivers have been improving at focusing on the ball under new receivers coach Pierre Ingram, and Jinks’ catch was a good example.
“That was just a great play, man, a great individual play from a guy,” Hampton said. “Went up over the top of another guy that was in great coverage. That’s what you want to see when the game’s on the line: Can a guy make a play? He did.”
Last year, UAPB’s receiver corps was built around one player. JaVonnie Gibson, who is now at Oklahoma, was responsible for 38% of UAPB’s receptions, 46% of receiving yards and 52.9% of receiving touchdowns.
Hampton said he isn’t afraid to feature a star player if one emerges. But until then, he expects the offense to be much more spread out this year.
That requires depth, which he said earlier in fall camp would be a strength of this year’s team. He has praised Burke as a potential star since spring practice, but he has also been high on players such as Maryland transfer Josh Richards or Arkansas Tech transfer Jordan Jackson.
The Golden Lions signed five transfer receivers and five high school seniors, including two Louisiana state champions.
Hampton said to expect to see several of those freshmen on the field this season.
“Ellis ‘Pop’ Stewart, man, he’s flashed every single day,” Hampton said. “That kid can flat-out run. He is going to be exciting. Then you got Raylen Spratt from Dumas, Arkansas. He’s been electric out here. Then you got De’Ontae (Clark) from Stuttgart. Man, he’s shown up. Then you got Floyd Flugence. Man, we got some young guys that can play.”
Tuesday’s practice was the first in full pads following two practices in just helmets and two with shells. UAPB is scheduled to hold one more full-pads practice prior to its first intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.