Special teams to rely on newcomers

Since Alonzo Hampton was hired as the head coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, he has said UAPB’s special teams need to be special.

Last season, the Golden Lions were one of the most accurate kicking teams in the SWAC but struggled to produce effective punts or kickoffs. A mix of returning players and new signees will look to enhance the third side of the ball this fall.

The Golden Lions were one of five teams to make every extra point they attempted last season, and their 36 PATs were the most among the tied teams. The only SWAC teams to make more PATs than UAPB were Jackson State, which made 60 of 61, and Alabama A&M, which made 42 of 43.

UAPB had the second-best field goal percentage in the conference, making 10 of 12 kicks, though only Mississippi Valley State attempted fewer field goals.

Redshirt junior Trey Glymph made most of those kicks. He made 34 of 34 extra points and 7 of 7 field goals, joining Alabama A&M kicker Victor Barbossa as one of just two SWAC kickers to go all season without a miss.

Braden Ducharme, who entered the transfer portal following spring practice, went 3 of 5 on field goals and 2 of 2 on extra points.

Glymph’s longest field goal was from 35 yards. Ducharme was mainly used for the longer kicks, making 1 of 3 from beyond 40 yards. The make was a 52-yarder against Texas Southern.

Glymph, who will be one of two UAPB players joining Hampton at SWAC Media Day on Wednesday, returns this fall. The preseason All-SWAC second team selection gives the Golden Lions a reliable short-range kicker, but they may need someone who can make the longer kicks.

That may well be freshman Ty Ackerman, who UAPB signed in February. The Edmond (Okla.) Memorial product was ranked as a top 40 kicker in the nation by Chris Sailer Kicking and has the leg strength to make the longer field goals. He went 5 of 7 on field goals and 33 of 36 on PATs during the regular season as a high school senior.

UAPB may have had success kicking the ball between the uprights last year, but the Golden Lions ranked near the bottom of the SWAC in both punting and kickoffs.

The Golden Lions averaged 35.9 yards per punt, 10th in the SWAC, and 30.6 net yards, 11th in the SWAC. They forced 11 fair catches and three touchbacks. There were four SWAC teams that punted more times but allowed fewer returns than UAPB.

Starting punter Jeremy Baker, who was a preseason All-SWAC selection ahead of last season, did most of the punting. He entered the portal as a graduate transfer, clearing the way for backup Shea Yurkunas to take over this fall.

Yurkunas could be the answer to UAPB’s punting shortcomings. He kicked two of UAPB’s three touchbacks and had one more fair catch than Baker despite punting 17 times to Baker’s 31. His average was a little shorter than Baker’s, but he has shown an ability to launch powerful kicks in practice.

New Mexico State transfer Nikalas Theisler, who did not play for the Aggies and has four years of eligibility remaining, will try to push Yurkunas in practice. Ackerman also punted in high school and could compete for that job.

In kickoffs, UAPB ranked 11th with a net average of 33.6 yards. The Golden Lions only kicked two touchbacks, the fewest in the league, and allowed the third most return yards.

Glymph and Ducharme shared kickoff duties last season, but UAPB could try out the other kickers to see who can win that job. Of course, in both punting and kick offs, UAPB’s coverage team will need to improve to help the kickers.

The wild card in special teams can be the longsnapper. UAPB had two last year, Rio Hay and Boothe Larkin, but both have entered the transfer portal. The Golden Lions went without one during spring practice but received a commitment from Presbyterian transfer Jackson Wilson, who was a preferred walk-on at his former school and has four years of eligibility.

Provided Wilson can deliver reliable snaps to the kickers and punters, UAPB may have the personnel to play improved special teams this fall, but that hinges on newcomers living up to their potential.