With the football transfer portal now closed, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has a clearer picture of its biggest needs ahead of National Signing Day.
The portal closed at midnight Friday night. The NCAA does not make public which players entered the portal, but at least 22 UAPB football players announced their entrance into the portal during the two-week period it was open earlier this month.
Players may no longer enter the portal, but players already in may still sign with a new school at any time.
Defensive back, defensive line and wide receiver were the hardest-hit position groups. Nine players from the secondary declared intent to transfer, while four defensive linemen and three receivers did so.
Kristian Gammage, who converted from wide receiver to nickelback last season, is one of several big names on the way out. Joining him are cornerbacks Zach Williams, Amyrion Mingo and Kyle Knox. Each of those four players made 24 tackles or more and intercepted a pass this past season.
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Williams has already announced his commitment to Alabama State, keeping him in the SWAC. Knox and his twin brother, Kaleb, have each committed to Division II Southern Arkansas. Mingo, a Louisiana native, visited McNeese State in his home state earlier this month.
Another defensive back transfer, Jean Louis Nunez, committed to Wayne State after making one tackle this season with UAPB.
Freshman defensive tackle Vaughn Highland is the most notable exit from the defensive line. He was UAPB’s fifth-leading tackler this season with 38 tackles and 41/2 tackles for loss. He will move up to the FBS ranks next season after committing to Akron. Marquis Cagle is another loss to the defensive front after making 29 tackles with 51/2 for loss and a sack.
UAPB’s second and third leading receivers are notable losses from that group. Kareem Burke, a Florida A&M transfer who caught 35 passes for 494 yards and two touchdowns, will play for his third SWAC school after committing to Alcorn State. Ellis Stewart, who led the team with six touchdown catches, is also testing the portal after a breakout true freshman campaign.
The Golden Lions have already gotten a head start on replacing some of those losses.
UAPB has officially announced one signee, Hamburg High School wide receiver Ke’ovion Brown. He caught 63 passes for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Hamburg Lions.
The Golden Lions have also received public commitments from at least 12 transfer athletes: eight from junior colleges and four from Division II programs. Of note, the portal opened for them before it did for Division I athletes.
One of the more notable commitments at defensive back is Kilgore (Texas) College transfer Chase Smith, who made 44 tackles with 3.0 for a loss and an interception last season. The other two, East Central (Decatur, Miss.) Community College transfer Jai’Teriyas “JT” Robinson and Southern Arkansas transfer Bryson Boulden, had two interceptions each.
The lone defensive line commitment so far came from Erskine (Due West, S.C.) College defensive end Derick Simon Jr. The Division II transfer made 25 tackles with 21/2 sacks and two forced fumbles.
UAPB has also sought reinforcements at the offensive line and secured four commitments. Among them is Southwest Mississippi Community College transfer Kriston Bell. He is listed at 6 feet, 6 inches, 280 pounds, and played right tackle. Of note, UAPB starting right tackle Jeremiah Rodgers declared for the NFL Draft after the season, leaving an opening at that position.
The other offensive line commitments also predominantly played on the right side of the offensive line. UAPB started juniors on the left side last season with seniors on the right who will need replacing.
UAPB also secured commitments from two junior college quarterbacks. Independence (Kan.) Community College transfer Keegan Anderson threw for 1,278 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Fullerton (Calif.) College transfer Jack Schierholz shared playing time and finished with 659 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Anderson and Schierholz will join an already crowded quarterback room. Last year’s starter, Christian Peters, exhausted his eligibility, but the other four who were on the roster have eligibility remaining and haven’t publicly stated their plans for next season, implying they could all return to UAPB.
DJ Stevenson has been UAPB’s backup the past two seasons and has completed 22 of 39 passes for 268 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in limited action. Garrison Davis, a true freshman last year, started the season finale at Alabama State, completing 13 of 20 passes for 86 yards while rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown.
National Signing Day will be Feb. 4, though UAPB will expect to sign additional players throughout the offseason. Of note, there is no longer a spring transfer window.