The secondary could be the strength of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff defense with several key defensive backs returning this fall.
UAPB’s defense lost all but three of its top 11 tacklers from last season to either the transfer portal or graduation. The three who chose to return are all defensive backs.
Starting safety Quintin Sterling was the Golden Lions’ second-leading tackler last season with 70, including 2.0 for loss, but he was also one of UAPB’s best in pass coverage. He was credited with six pass breakups last season, a team high. Four of his breakups came in the final three games of the season as the junior college transfer continued to settle into his new team.
Perhaps his most notable breakup came on the final play of UAPB’s 21-17 victory against Prairie View A&M, when he used both hands to swat down a desperation pass at the 19-yard line as time expired. The intended receiver, Trejon Spiller, may have had a chance to score and win the game for the Panthers if not for Sterling’s play.
Redshirt senior Kaleb Knox made 11 tackles last season before he was injured in UAPB’s SWAC opener at Alcorn State. He did not play the rest of the season after a short hospital stay but remains on the roster entering this season.
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A returning Knox, if healthy, alongside Sterling would be a big help for UAPB with its other top safeties entering the transfer portal, including Ja’Marlin Green, Shawn Wilson and Marquese Allen-Patmon.
Redshirt junior Tavon Hardwick and backup Martavious Miller both return at nickelback. Each intercepted a pass last season, with Hardwick also tallying 36 tackles.
Knox’s twin brother, Kyle, missed last season with injury but broke up five passes with one interception in 2023 to go with 19 tackles and a sack as a cornerback. He could, if finally healthy, be another important contributor in 2025.
UAPB also brings back cornerback Amyrion Mingo, who led the team in interceptions with three as a true freshman. Another freshman, Zach Williams, intercepted one pass and broke up two more while tallying 38 tackles.
The biggest portal loss at cornerback was Liam Lindo, who intercepted two passes and broke up two others. He was the only player other than Mingo with multiple interceptions.
With experienced players such as Sterling, Hardwick and the Knox twins alongside promising sophomores Mingo and Williams, UAPB entered the offseason with a good base to build its secondary around.
Defensive backs coach Jeff Burrow, who was promoted to defensive coordinator this offseason, will still be looking to shore up a passing defense which statistically finished middle of the SWAC last season, allowing 208.6 passing yards per game.
Reinforcements are coming. Ahead of spring practice, UAPB moved wide receiver Kristian Gammage to defensive back. After spring practice, UAPB secured commitments from Monroe University (N.Y.) teammates Michael Henderson and Na’il Johnson. The pair hail from not only the same junior college, but also from the same high school in East Orange, New Jersey.
Johnson, a sophomore last year, was Monroe’s third-leading tackler with 36 tackles and recovered three fumbles. Henderson tallied 12 tackles and an interception as a freshman.
In February, UAPB signed Edna Karr (New Orleans) senior Tyrik Brigalia, a team captain on a 15-0 state championship team who made 80 tackles with three interceptions. The Golden Lions also added Mills University Studies prospect Azayvonne “Zay” Stribling, who intercepted six passes while helping the Comets reach the Class 4A semifinals.
UAPB has a mix of experience and promising youth to lean on in the secondary. With questions remaining up front, the Golden Lions will need the back end of their defense to produce if UAPB is going to finally have a breakout season.