Two University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football players received all-conference honors for the 2023 season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Monday.
Offensive lineman Ryan Atkins and linebacker Rico Dozier were named to the All-SWAC First Team for their performances this season.
Atkins played 10 games at tackle. The graduate student from Gary, Ind., stepped up this year to replace former Golden Lion Mark Evans II as the leader of the UAPB offensive line. He has also been selected to play in the HBCU Legacy Bowl on Feb. 24.
Dozier finished the season as the SWAC’s leading tackler with 125, one tackle more than Colton Adams of Alabama State. The junior also led the league in solo tackles with 63. He had 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The all-conference teams are voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Florida A&M led the SWAC with 13 all-conference selections.