After losing the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s leading tackler to the transfer portal, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff needs to identify a new starting linebacker.
Rico Dozier led the SWAC last season with 125 total tackles, including 63 solo. He also contributed 6.5 tackles for loss, which was tied for second on the team. He was one of two Golden Lions to be named First Team All-SWAC.
Dozier transferred to Alabama State after the season, leaving UAPB linebackers coach Derek Rose and defensive coordinator David Calloway with a big spot to fill.
He wasn’t the only loss to the portal after the 2023 season. Fellow linebacker Rylan Woods was UAPB’s third-leading tackler, second only to Dozier among linebackers. Woods made 61 total tackles, three tackles for loss and broke up two passes.
Those losses hurt, but fortunately for Rose, Calloway and Coach Alonzo Hampton, Khalil Arnold stayed in Pine Bluff.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Arnold, a rising junior, led UAPB with 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks last season. His 40 total tackles were the fourth-most on the team and the most among returning players. He forced and recovered two fumbles last season.
He played a big role in UAPB’s comeback win at Texas Southern. In addition to recovering a fumble, he scooped up the ball when the Golden Lions blocked a Tiger punt. Although he didn’t score on the play, he pitched the ball to a teammate who did, cutting TSU’s lead at the time to 34-28.
Arnold should play a big role this fall as one of the two starting linebackers in UAPB’s 4-2-5 defense. The coaches just need to figure out who will be his main partner.
UAPB listed five linebackers on its spring roster, including Arnold. Lyon College transfer Aiden McHan, a White Hall native who played safety last year, joined three returning linebackers. None saw significant playing time last season.
After the spring, UAPB picked up an additional commitment from a junior college transfer, Benjie Guar from Sussex County Community College. The Edison, N.J., native made 37 tackles with four sacks, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble last season as a sophomore.
Guar, the only defensive addition for UAPB since the end of spring practice, often played on the line of scrimmage but in an upright stance. He could be a candidate to start at linebacker alongside Arnold, or he could play as a defensive end, leaving UAPB still needing to identify a more traditional middle linebacker to replace Dozier.
Hampton and his staff signed four high school linebackers in February who will join the team for fall camp and try to make an impact.
One is a Pine Bluff graduate, Jonathan Goins. He transferred to PBHS after previously playing at Sylvan Hills and helped the Zebras reach the 5A state semifinals. He said on signing day his goal is to play as a freshman, and playing for the Zebras prepared him for it.
“They did everything, man,” Goins said. “Early mornings, late nights, getting up every day, being responsible, accountable. They just got us ready for the college lifestyle, and I appreciate Coach (Micheal) Williams for that.”
UAPB also signed Kyle Vocque from Bauxite, who won an Arkansas state wrestling championship in 2023, along with Derrick Murdock from Little Rock Southwest and Jakorei Foreman-Carter from Little Rock Hall.
Hampton said on signing day he was giving the high school signees a workout plan and the playbook so they could come to fall camp prepared despite not getting to participate in spring practice. He said he was pleased with the linebackers UAPB signed.
“If you looking for linebacker U, we’re trying to get there with these young guys,” Hampton said. “I told every last one of them, you come in here with the mindset that you’re going to be the guy. You’re not coming and taking a backseat to anybody.”