A group of 26 new football student-athletes have signed with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
UAPB announced its 2026 signing class Wednesday during a National Signing Day event dubbed “The Golden Reveal” at the UAPB Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Building. It is the fourth overall signing class and third full-size class under head coach Alonzo Hampton.
Hampton said this is the best class he has signed since coming to Pine Bluff.
“This is the best class without a doubt, because you just added so much value,” Hampton said. “We had guys that were filling spots. Now, you’re able to continue to show improvement. Guys want to be able to feel like they’re the missing piece. We’ll get through spring ball and see what we need, but I feel very confident with what we’ve got.”
The class consists of 14 offensive and 10 defensive players with two listed as athletes. UAPB signed 13 junior college transfers, six Division II transfers and seven high school seniors.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB signed two quarterbacks, Fullerton (Calif.) College transfer Jack Schierholz and Sylvan Hills High School product Tyler Hampton. They will join returning sophomores Landon Holcomb and Garrison Davis in competing for the starting position this fall with UAPB losing last year’s starter, Christian Peters, and two seniors.
Schierholz threw for 659 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions while sharing playing time at Fullerton College last season. He signed with Marshall out of high school, then transferred to Ferris State before making his way to Fullerton.
Tyler Hampton threw for 3,606 yards, 39 touchdowns and six interceptions last fall as a high school senior. He led Sylvan Hills to a 6A-East Conference championship and a 6A semifinals appearance last year. The Bears went 10-2 one year after going winless in 2024.
The Golden Lions went heavy on young receivers, signing Ke’ovion Brown from Hamburg High School, Jamarcis Morning from Hot Springs High School and Troyce Grimsley from Fairley High School in Memphis.
UAPB signed three other high school seniors: Bryant defensive lineman Malachi McDonald and athletes Luey Jaime from Hot Springs and Dakylan Hampton from Junction City.
Hampton said in the transfer portal era, teams must be particular about which high school seniors to sign.
“When you get a high school kid, they gotta be able to play,” Hampton said.” If they’re not able to play, then they’re going to get frustrated and leave, and that causes issues with your (Academic Progress Rate). So, you gotta be very strategic in recruiting kids that can play right away. That’s what we’ve done.”
Rounding out the offensive skill positions, UAPB signed Southwest Mississippi Community College running back Jalen Williams, Riverside (Calif.) Community College tight end Beau Bruins, North Greenville (S.C.) University tight end Dwayne Simmons, and PennWest Edinboro wide receiver Daeshawn Allen.
The Golden Lions lost offensive line coach Donovan Jackson in the offseason but still signed five new offensive linemen. Three came from junior colleges in Mississippi, with the other two hailing from Division II programs.
Hampton said UAPB didn’t lose any recruits because Jackson and offensive coordinator Tony Hull left for other jobs.
“That’s why we don’t let one coach recruit,” Hampton said. “That doesn’t work. UAPB recruits the kid. Every coach talks to the players. … I don’t want a kid because he said, ‘I want to play for that coach.’ Well, what if that coach is not here? We want you to play for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.”
The largest player from this group is Southwest Mississippi Community College transfer Kriston Bell, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds. Navarro Community College transfer Quinten McCarty was a first team all-conference selection.
UAPB also signed Nathan Shaw from Itawamba Community College, Sean Turner from Fort Valley (Ga.) State, and Jaylon Norman from Edward Waters University in Florida.
On defense, the secondary had the most signees with five additions, helping reload one of the hardest-hit position groups by the transfer portal.
Kilgore (Texas) College nickelback Chase Smith comes to UAPB after making 39 tackles with an interception, while Northeast Mississippi Community College cornerback Travor Walton made 35 tackles with an interception and a sack. UAPB also added a Southeast Arkansas native, Southern Arkansas transfer cornerback Bryson Boulden.
At safety, UAPB signed East Central (Miss.) Community College transfer Jai’Teriyas Robinson, who made 26 tackles with two interceptions, and Central Georgia Tech College transfer Bryson Williams.
The Mississippi junior college scene sent UAPB two linebackers. Jameson Mosley and Nate Walker combined for 98 tackles, 16.6 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season.
Up front, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College edge rusher Keiyhaun Wilks and Erskine College (S.C.) edge rusher Derick Simon Jr. combined for 56 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Simon also blocked two field goals, one for a touchdown.
Hampton said McDonald will play early on the interior of the defensive line, but he is excited about the ends.
“We gotta add a couple more guys on the inside, but on the edge, we’re better. It ain’t even close. We’re better at the corner position. Our linebackers are returning, but we’re adding some guys that can really help us.”
Hampton’s initial contract with UAPB as head coach went through last season. He said he and the administration are finalizing an extension, saying he should have the paperwork “any day now.”