Grambling is bringing a new look to SWAC

One of the most historic programs in the SWAC will look much different when the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff travels south this fall.

Grambling State, entering its first season under new head coach Mickey Joseph, will host UAPB on Oct. 19 at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in Grambling, La.

Joseph was hired to replace Hue Jackson, who was fired after the 2023 season.

The Tigers started SWAC play 2-0 with a win against eventual west division champion Prairie View A&M but finished 4-4 after losing two of their final three games.

Under Jackson’s predecessor, Broderick Fobbs, Grambling won two SWAC championships and won the 2016 Celebration Bowl, but the Tigers haven’t finished with a winning overall record since going 6-5 in 2019.

Joseph will try to bring Grambling back into the SWAC championship conversation, but he will have to replace a lot of pieces to get there.

The Tigers’ offense was one of the SWAC’s best last year, ranking third with 27.1 points per conference game. Co-offensive coordinator Tony Hull, who helped lead a major improvement in Grambling’s offense in his one year with the Tigers, is now UAPB’s offensive coordinator.

One position Joseph won’t have to worry about in 2024 is quarterback as starter Myles Crawley returns. He completed 60% of his passes last year for 2,303 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also scored three rushing touchdowns.

However, Grambling’s top offensive skill players are gone. GSU’s top two receivers, Antonio Jones and Lyndon Rash, are gone. The Tigers’ top two running backs, Chance Williams and Floyd Chalk IV, also left.

GSU’s leading returning rusher is Keilon Elder, who scored one touchdown with 130 yards. Javon Robinson is the leading returning receiver after collecting 368 receiving yards and two touchdowns. GSU also brings back Tylon Williams’ 234 yards and Nae’Saan Dickerson’s 111 yards. Each scored once.

To address these needs, Joseph turned to the transfer portal. Former New Mexico receiver Duece Jones caught eight passes for 194 yards and a touchdown last season, while Prairie View A&M transfer Kristopher Simmons caught 14 passes for 135 yards. GSU also added Mississippi State transfer Jacoby Bellazar, who caught one 13-yard pass last season.

At running back, Hawaii transfer Jordan Johnson rushed for 198 yards, while Memphis transfer Ke’Travion Hargrove had 43 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Grambling allowed 23.1 points per SWAC game, which ranked seventh in the league. Like the offense, the defense has a lot of pieces to replace.

The Tigers lose their top two tacklers from last season, including Lewis Matthews’ 101 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. Their second-leading tackler, Sundiata Anderson, led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Defensive back Kevin Thomas is the leading returning tackler with 42. He also had two picks. Linebacker Josh Darling made 30 tackles with three for loss.

UTEP transfer defensive lineman Jalen Rudolph will try to help fill the gap. He made 10 tackles for the Miners last year with 0.5 for loss. Between 2021 and 2022, he made 6.5 combined tackles for loss with one sack.

Grambling defeated UAPB 43-14 in Pine Bluff last season and has won back-to-back games against the Golden Lions.

UAPB last won 33-26 in Pine Bluff on Nov. 6, 2021, and 48-21 in Grambling on March 20, 2021.