The more experienced University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff defense has, as expected, so far outpaced the new offense as spring football practice enters its fourth week.
Head coach Alonzo Hampton said Tuesday the defensive line has been UAPB’s best unit.
“You’ve got Anas Luqman, who probably would have had 17 sacks last year,” Hampton said. “He had 3.5 sacks in two games … and then he sprained his MCL and missed the whole year, which is disappointing. … Then, we got AJ Johnson, kid that came from White Hall. Went off to a school and came back to us. Man, that kid can play. Like, we’re better on the D-line than any position on this football team.”
The defensive line took a hit Wednesday, however, as Cam Roetherford announced he is entering the transfer portal. Hampton had highlighted Roetherford more than once since spring practice began, including prior to Tuesday’s session.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The rising junior from Detroit made 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss last season. He blocked a punt in the second half of last year’s season finale at Texas Southern, leading to a defensive touchdown which helped the Golden Lions rally to defeat the Tigers.
His departure means UAPB will lean more on players such as Luqman and Johnson. Luqman stood out in the Golden Lions’ first two games last season before missing the rest with injury. Johnson comes to UAPB from Division II Northeastern Oklahoma State. He began his career at Memphis in 2020 but did not play for the Tigers. He made 30 total tackles last season.
Hampton said he was also impressed with defensive backs Antwon Jackson, Tavon Hardwick and Kyle Knox.
On the other side of the ball, new offensive coordinator Tony Hull said his players have done a good job of learning his offensive system.
“Now, we’re at a point in spring where the guys understand the offense,” Hull said. “It’s just now, we’re fine-tuning the details of it. We’re not worried now about what to do. We’re focused more on how to do it, and I think when you reach that point as an offense, that’s when you really see the offense grow.”
The quarterback battle remains open as Hampton said none of the three players competing for the job this spring have separated themselves so far. Mekhi Hagens returns from last season along with newcomers DJ Stevenson and Freddie Davis. Pine Bluff High School senior Landon Holcomb will join the battle in fall camp after graduation.
Hampton said Javonnie Gibson, a wide receiver transfer from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and walk-on offensive lineman Jamarkius Garrett have impressed on the offensive side.
The defense dominated much of last Saturday’s scrimmage, the first of the spring for UAPB.
“The defense is farther along, like we knew they should be,” Hampton said. “The energy was great on defense. The effort, the intensity is exactly what we want. We talk about being physical, talk about guys just enjoying the game, playing for one another.”
The offense broke through in the fourth quarter, scoring three times in four possessions, which Hampton said is one of the big issues from last year UAPB needs to correct this fall.
Spring practice continues Thursday as the Golden Lions prepare for their second scrimmage this Saturday. Next week will be UAPB’s last week and will conclude with the Black and Gold Game at 2 p.m. April 27.
Hull said, in agreement with Hampton, he wants to see players compete hard the rest of the spring.
“I want to see who really wants to compete,” Hull said. “Who really understands what it takes to compete to win a SWAC championship, and just kind of push those guys that don’t understand, kind of push their limits a little bit to where they can expand their horizons and their limits.”